Members of Parliament from the Mount Elgon sub-region have called on Government to urgently relocate families living in landslide-prone areas, warning that another disaster could occur if action is delayed.
The MPs raised concern over widening cracks on the mountain slopes and the expected heavy rains, which they say could increase the risk of landslides in communities already affected by previous disasters.
Sironko District Woman MP Aisha Mafabi told Parliament that many residents remain exposed to danger despite repeated government interventions.
“Sironko has lost people, livestock and fertile agricultural land every year because of landslides,” Mafabi said.
She revealed that 1,645 vulnerable residents in Sironko are still living in high-risk areas and are waiting for relocation.
“We still have 1,645 victims who have not been relocated. The cracks are expanding, and with the expected heavy rains, water will seep into the soil, further weakening the slopes and increasing the likelihood of landslides,” she said.
Mafabi urged Government to speed up the relocation process before another tragedy occurs.
“We appreciate the efforts Government has already made. But we urgently request that the relocation process be expedited because our people remain at risk,” she added.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said Government is committed to permanently resettling people living in dangerous areas, saying relocation is the only lasting solution.
“The way forward for our people living on the cliffs of Mount Elgon and other high-risk areas is relocation to safer places,” Nabbanja said.
She said Government has already relocated about 1,200 people after acquiring land in Kween District but admitted that finding large pieces of land in the Mount Elgon region remains a challenge.
“Getting a large chunk of land in Mount Elgon is next to impossible,” she said.
Nabbanja disclosed that Cabinet is considering a new approach where affected families would be given funds to buy their own land instead of waiting for Government to acquire land.
“We have prepared a Cabinet paper proposing that instead of Government buying land, we provide affected families with funds to purchase two acres each in locations of their choice,” she said.
She added that Government has set aside Shs56 billion to support the relocation programme.
However, MPs criticised the slow pace of the resettlement process, saying many displaced families continue to live in poor conditions.
Bulambuli County MP John Musila described the situation in temporary settlements as unacceptable.
“The conditions under which our people are living are so poor that not even a dog should live like that,” Musila said.
He added that many families are struggling with food shortages and prolonged separation.
“People survive on one meal a day. It is permanent fasting,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed the Prime Minister to meet legislators from the Mount Elgon sub-region and develop a clear roadmap for the relocation exercise.
The warning comes as the Mount Elgon region, covering Sironko, Bulambuli, Bududa, Manafwa and Namisindwa districts, continues to face recurring landslides caused by heavy rainfall, steep terrain and environmental pressure.
