UGANDA, Entebbe | Real Muloodi News | A wave of anticipation and concern has swept through the smallholder landowners along the Source of the Nile redevelopment corridor as the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities launches an ambitious Source of the Nile project.
The government’s plan to transform this area into an international tourism destination involves the acquisition of 164 acres of land, sparking both interest and apprehension among landowners.
The Source of the Nile project aims to encompass the land 10km downstream from the Source, extending 400m from either side of the riverbanks.
Doreen Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, highlighted that the government would compensate current titleholders for the land.
According to Mr. Kima Makanga, the LC1 chairman for Kimaka Cell in Jinja City, there’s a noticeable divide among landowners based on socio-economic standing.
The lower class appears inclined to seek monetary compensation, while the upper class expresses interest in being part of the project, even seeking face-to-face meetings with the minister.
However, this division is not uniform, as some landowners voice concerns about resisting the government’s plans.
The prospect of financial compensation becomes a central consideration for those who may feel compelled to relinquish their land.
One resident in Njeru Municipality expressed both fear and recognition of the inevitability of the government’s actions, emphasizing that the compensation must be worth the sacrifice.
The complexities of this situation are evident in the varied responses from different landowners. Geoffrey Jokwongo, the Amber Court Cell chairperson, noted dissenting voices during meetings with various stakeholders, reflecting the diverse opinions within the landowning community.
Emmanuel Mudali, the secretary of the River Nile Land Grabbing Resistance Frontier (RNLGRF), emphasized the vulnerability of households in the corridor, making them susceptible to manipulation.
While not opposed to the principle of willing-buyer-willing-seller, RNLGRF has petitioned the court to halt the government’s compulsory land acquisition at the Source.
Amidst these concerns, landowners speculate about the compensation they might receive. While some believe the government will offer a flat USh250 million per raw acre of land, others, including project contractor Kosea Wambaka, suggest that values have changed since the master plan was drawn three years ago.
The complexity is further heightened by the large expatriate population living along the riverbanks, leading to increased land prices in Jinja and Buikwe districts.
As the Source of the Nile project unfolds, landowners grapple with both opportunities and uncertainties, navigating a landscape where financial compensation and concerns for the future converge.
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