Uganda, Bwaise | Real Muloodi News | Residents of Bwaise have welcomed the construction of the Lubigi channel, which will manage huge volumes of water in parts of Kawaala and Nabweru. The Lubigi channel is roughly 2.8 kilometres long, and is being extended and lined with concrete from Bwaise to Kawaala to prevent flooding in Bwaise and Kawempe.
The World Bank is funding the upgrade, as part of the second phase of the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructural Project (KIIDP-2), which began last year. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is implementing the Lubigi project.
The project has experienced some construction delays, due to people living within the cannel’s limits who demanded compensation from the government. Such people are referred to as ‘Project Affected Persons’ (PAPs).
According to Ms Agnes Biribonwa, a KIIDP-media specialist. The Chief Government Valuer has valued the properties of the affected people. Now PAPs have begun to present their paperwork for payment.
“KCCA has since engaged all affected persons and assured them of compensation and dispelled wrong information,” Ms Biribonwa said.
Compensation will be given according to the affected property, such as structures and crops, according to Ms Biribonwa. She says that the government valuer determines the amount paid using the market price.
Some of the PAPs have already been compensated; on the Bwaise part of Lubigi were compensated under KIIDP-1 in 2011.
Ms Biribonwa added that they have already engaged the community to ensure that the channel’s limits are clear.
Affected residents acknowledged KCCA intervention stating they will make way for the project. Mr Abdulnoor Nyombi, a Kawaala resident, has begged the government to speed up the process.
“We want that money soon because we don’t have anywhere to go now. But if they pay us on time, then we can easily get to new places. My other worry is that they might pay money that is not commensurate with the value of my property,” Nyombi tells.
Ms Edith Nantongo, another affected resident, says, “If they pay us on time, we will have to plan because we have families and would like to move to other places.”
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