Gov’t to pay UGX 24 Billion to national oil palm project-affected persons – Minister Kyakulaga

By Peter Luzinda

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, has announced that the government is set to release over UGX 24 billion to compensate people affected by the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) in Buvuma District and Sango Bay in Kyotera District.

Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday, Minister Kyakulaga explained that the compensation exercise follows a directive by President Yoweri Museveni to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to verify and validate all Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the two areas.

“Their land was valued by the government valuer, with the knowledge and cooperation of the affected persons. A total of UGX 52 billion was determined as the amount required to compensate all PAPs,” he said.

He revealed that part of the funds has already been released to MAAIF. “Out of the required UGX 52 billion, MAAIF has so far received UGX 24 billion, of which UGX 14 billion has been allocated for PAPs in Buvuma and UGX 10 billion for PAPs in Sango Bay.”

According to the minister, MAAIF has already made full payments to 301 PAPs in the five villages of Bubembe, Bwaka, Buwanga, Mbekete, and Ndayiga in Buvuma District.

“The ministry expects to pay a total of 1,405 PAPs across 11 villages. Disclosure to PAPs in Buvuma has been completed, and payments will be made in phases as directed by His Excellency the President,” he added.

Kyakulaga also noted that the Ministry of Lands is still carrying out disclosure exercises for the affected people in Sango Bay. “Once the report is submitted, payments will be effected. Government remains committed to ensuring that all funds required to complete the compensation exercise are released.”