Over 300 residents in Kalangala have petitioned the district administration opposing the expansion of the 36 Kilometer Bugoma-Kalangala road until they are compensated. Last month, Ministry of Works and Transport through Uganda National Road Authority contracted Kalangala Infrastructures services limited to expand Bugoma road. The company was expected to embark on the road works this month.
Under the agreement, Kalangala Infrastructure Services-KIS is also expected to tarmac about 10km from Lutoboka to Kalangala town council. However, the expansion of the road hangs in balance following threats by residents to block its expansion until they are compensated. Led by Jim Jim Gyagenda Kabiri, the Kalangala LC5 Councilor representing Bujumba sub county says the proposed expansion of the road without paying compensation to residents is unlawful.
Kabiri says that when government hired KIS to carry out the same work in 2006, their property worth billions of shilling was destroyed but they were never compensated. Kabiri, who wants 60milion shillings, explains that they lost coffee plantations, palm oil trees, jackfruits, mangoes, and trees planted for timber. He says over 300 residents who lost their plantations in 2006 are now demanding for double compensation of 20 billion shillings.
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65-year-old Matovu Makinga, the Bugoma LC1 Chairman says they are opposed to the road expansion works because it will lead to the destruction of their houses and plantations. Matovu says they will stage public protests against the expansion should it kick off.
Matovu, who now wants 100millions, claims that during the first phase of the construction, earth movers damaged his commercial houses at Bugoma trading center but he was never compensated. Willy Lugoloobi, the LC V chairman Kalangala district says that concerns from the residents are genuine. He says the district has set up a project management committee to push for residents concerns before real construction kicks off.
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Dominic Tibasiimwa, the Kalangala Deputy RDC has called for calm saying all the residents will be compensated. He says Government valuers are going to assess the property and establish how much each affected resident is entitled to.
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John Opillo, the Managing Director KIS limited has declined to comment on why they failed to compensate the affected people. He simply said the residents’ demands are dramatic.
