Museveni Pledges Dignified Resettlement for Bulambuli Landslide Victims

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a dignified and permanent resettlement for landslide-affected families in Bulambuli District, underscoring ongoing efforts to safeguard communities living in high-risk areas along the Mt. Elgon slopes.

“The families are waiting to be resettled on 2,000 acres. Each family is to have two acres and 10 million shillings. And there is 50 billion shillings to buy more land,” the President said.

President Museveni, also the NRM presidential flag bearer, made the remarks during a campaign rally at Nabbongo Secondary School playground in Bulambuli. The pledge is part of the wider government programme to relocate victims of recurrent landslides that have devastated the Mt. Elgon sub-region, particularly in Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, and Bulambuli.

He emphasised that the relocation strategy is based on scientific and environmental concerns, likening the destruction of forests on steep slopes to “undressing Mother Nature,” which exposes communities to grave danger.

Museveni recalled his 2010 visit to Nametsi village in Bududa after a catastrophic landslide buried the entire community, killing more than 365 people. He said the tragedy underscored the urgent need for long-term solutions and informed the establishment of the Bunambutye Resettlement Camp.

“We are going to work full steam to get people out of danger. The plan is to give people two acres plus ten million,” he said.

Progress on Resettlement

The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, reported progress in relocating affected families, noting that 2,661 acres of land had been secured in Bulambuli, where resettlement is ongoing. Fifty billion shillings has been allocated to acquire more land.

President Museveni emphasised that the aim is to prevent future loss of life: “There are certain parts of the mountains where people should not settle. It is dangerous for them, for the future, and for the country.”

Livelihood Support and Wealth Creation

The President also announced that Bulambuli will benefit from the ongoing national cattle restocking initiative. Families in Lango, Teso, and Acholi are receiving five cattle each, and Museveni said it would be unfair to exclude parts of Bugisu and Sebei that face similar challenges.

He used the rally to explain the distinction between development and wealth creation: “Development like roads and electricity is for all of us, but wealth is mine as an individual or a family.”

He highlighted government wealth-creation initiatives such as OWC, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM). Bulambuli has so far received Shs 37.7 billion under PDM, with 99.8% already disbursed to 38,846 households—70.5% of the district total.

“The remaining 29.5% of households will also be reached. The aim is for every household to join the money economy,” Museveni said.

NRM Manifesto Priorities

Museveni outlined key achievements of the NRM and introduced priorities in the 2026–2031 Manifesto. He highlighted peace, infrastructure development, education, and health as central pillars.

“You people of Bulambuli are witnesses of peace,” he said, recalling earlier decades marked by cattle rustling before security was restored.

He praised road improvements in the region and reiterated government plans to improve Bulambuli’s road network despite challenges posed by volcanic soils.

On education, the President pledged that every parish will receive a government primary school and every sub-county a government secondary school. With only 54 government primary schools serving 123 parishes, Museveni said new schools are being constructed to close the gap.

He also committed to upgrading existing health facilities and constructing new ones to ensure each sub-county has a Health Centre III and each constituency a Health Centre IV.

Voices from Regional Leaders

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among urged Bulambuli residents to vote for President Museveni, praising his leadership based on inclusive national interests. She also promised to verify compensation concerns for landslide victims.

She noted that the newly commissioned Acomai Irrigation Scheme symbolises the government’s long-term investment in the region.

Regional NRM leaders—including Eastern Region Vice Chairperson Mr Echodu Calvin and Bulambuli District Chairperson Mr Kimamati Paul Michael—praised government investments while calling for further upgrades in health services and the establishment of Bugisu University to serve the Elgon sub-region.

Bulambuli’s Electoral Profile

Bulambuli District has 235,391 residents, 1,313 villages, and 257 polling stations. Voter numbers have grown from 71,664 in 2021 to 79,699 ahead of the upcoming election. In 2021, President Museveni secured 76.4% of the district vote.

The event was attended by ministers, MPs, and NRM leaders from across the region.