Thousands of residents in Buvuma District are still waiting for compensation for land they surrendered to the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP), even as billions of shillings meant for the initiative remain locked in the Bank of Uganda.
Oil palm growing in Buvuma was launched in 2019 with the establishment of a nucleus estate.
However, five years later, many residents who gave up their land for the project say they have been left with nothing but empty promises.
According to official records, out of the 5,892.98 hectares acquired by Oil Palm Buvuma Limited, only 2,327.7 hectares have been planted.
The remaining 2,277 hectares remain in limbo, with valuation and compensation for tenants still pending.
Money in the Bank, But Not in Residents’ Hands
A recent Auditor General’s report revealed that while the project was expected to receive a total of UGX206 billion, only UGX117 billion had been disbursed.
Of this, UGX105.65 billion had been spent by June 2024, leaving UGX12.23 billion sitting idle in a project bank account at the Bank of Uganda.
The report further highlighted inefficiencies in the project’s execution.
A sample of activities worth UGX59.26 billion, half of the disbursed funds, showed that while two activities valued at UGX14.16 billion were completed, the remaining ten, worth UGX45.10 billion, were only partially implemented.
Frustrations Grow
The Project Steering Committee, responsible for overseeing the initiative, has only convened once in the first quarter of the financial year, instead of the required minimum of two meetings.
This lack of oversight, residents argue, has worsened the delays in compensation.
Beyond those awaiting payment, outgrowers involved in the project say they are also struggling due to a lack of inputs and resources.
With no clear timeline for when they will receive their money, affected residents are urging the government to step in, speed up the process, and allow them to rebuild their lives.
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