KIKUUBE, UGANDA | Over 1,000 families displaced from their ancestral land in Kasonga Parish, Kyangwali Sub-County, are facing dire health conditions in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Kikuube Town Council. The evicted families, primarily women and children, have been living in poor sanitary conditions since their eviction from various villages including Bukinda and Kyeya.
The conflict over the land, which spans 36 square kilometers, has been ongoing since a massive eviction in September 2013, when over 60,000 people were removed to expand the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement. Despite repeated government promises to resettle the evictees, including directives from President Yoweri Museveni, the situation remains unresolved.
Residents have expressed their frustration, particularly after vacating the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and moving to a plot donated by local MP Florence Natumanya. Living conditions in the IDP camp are alarming, with inadequate access to clean water and medical facilities, leading to fears of disease outbreaks.
Jackline Nyamaizi, a resident, reported frequent illnesses such as diarrhea, malaria, and cholera due to unsanitary conditions. Her fellow camp resident, Ahumuza Businge, lamented the lack of clean drinking water, as they are forced to share resources with wildlife.
John Kakiga, another evictee, highlighted the distance to Kikuube Health Center IV, located three miles away, as a significant barrier to receiving medical care. Camp Chairperson Fred Mbambali echoed these concerns, stating that the insufficient number of latrines and limited sanitation facilities pose a serious health risk.
Women in the camp face additional challenges, with inadequate bathing facilities leading to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to poor hygiene practices. Residents depend on well-wishers for food, further complicating their situation.
Local leaders, including Kyangwali Sub-County LCV Councilor Nestori Tumwesigye and Kikuube LCV Vice Chairperson Vincent Alpha Opio, have called for government intervention, emphasizing the urgent need for resettlement and improved health services for the evictees. They reported that previous government claims of resettling some families have not been corroborated by the affected communities.
The ongoing struggles of these displaced families highlight the complexities surrounding land rights and humanitarian response in Uganda. Despite assurances from the Office of the Prime Minister regarding the management of the contested land, the evictees continue to suffer from neglect, raising serious concerns about their health and well-being as the government grapples with internal conflicts over land use and refugee policies.
