Last Saturday, the lives of more than 1,000 residents across the villages of Cable, Namengo, and Soweto in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe district, took a dire turn as they found themselves homeless and devoid of basic toilet facilities.
The sudden eviction forced these individuals into a challenging situation where open defecation and the use of plastic bags as makeshift alternatives have become distressingly common. Municipal authorities fear that this unhygienic practice could potentially lead to the outbreak of cholera and other diseases.
The predicament arose after Uganda Railway Corporation (URC) authorities conducted an eviction, targeting those they claimed had settled on their land without legal authorization. The operation was led by URC’s operations chief, SSP Titus Byaruhanga, despite facing significant opposition from local politicians.
Councilors Stephen Mugoya and Edward Kaggwe, deeply concerned about the well-being of those affected, have called upon the Government to extend assistance to these displaced residents. They emphasized the imminent danger of disease outbreaks and the degradation of their community due to unsanitary conditions.
Mzee Nicholas Katama, one of the victims, recounted the abrupt eviction without prior warning. He described how the police and army swiftly cordoned off the area, forcing them to leave behind their belongings and shelter.
The evictees asserted that Chief Kulubya had allocated the land to them for habitation and livelihood. They expressed their belief that the government should have allowed them sufficient time to secure alternative accommodations.
Lugazi Central division chairperson, Kamis Lutajani, highlighted the unanswered questions surrounding the eviction process, especially the issue of providing suitable living spaces. He appealed to URC to ensure proper compensation for the affected individuals and questioned local leaders’ failure to adequately communicate the eviction notice to the villagers.
Lutajani also expressed concerns about a potential rise in criminal activities resulting from the displacement of the affected residents.
Area MP Stephen Serubula Kinalwa criticized the eviction as unfair and lacking proper consultation with community leaders. He called upon the Government to utilize the Land Fund to secure new housing for the affected individuals, aiming to prevent an escalation of crime within the community.
In response, Uganda Railway Corporation (URC) assured that those impacted by the eviction would receive facilitation and resettlement packages to aid in their relocation to safer areas. However, to date, many continue to reside in improvised, shanty structures constructed in the wake of their sudden and “unannounced” displacement.
The plight of the displaced villagers serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by communities when faced with sudden eviction and underscores the importance of effective communication, empathy, and coordinated support during such critical times.
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