In March 2022, the government initiated the process of repossessing the former Sango-bay sugar estates located in Kakuuto, Kabira, Kyebe, and Mutukula sub-counties of Kyotera district. The aim was to convert the land into Oil Palm tree plantations as part of the National Vegetable Oil Development program.
The affected facilities include; Kakuuto Health IV, Minziiro Health Centre II, Nazareth Primary School Kannabulemu and Gwanda Primary Schools in Kyebe Sub County, and Kibumba primary school in Kasensero town council among others.
Apollo Mugume, the Kyotera Resident District Commissioner also shares that same frustration as the political leadership, indicating that such centrally awarded contracts frustrate his monitoring roles because the contractors often dodge to provide him with accountability.
The development comes a week after the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga visited Kyotera where she said that the Sango bay land issues had been poorly handled.
Kadaga also the Minister for East African Affairs told URN in Mutukula that it would be unfair to render the occupants homeless yet the majority have spent over 40 years on the land. Her remarks come at a time when the occupants have been given seven days to peacefully vacate the land or be forced out to pave way for the oil palm project.
Kadaga says the market will not only develop the district but also create employment for the residents of the greater Masaka region. She explains that the project will give rise to good road infrastructure, electricity supply, a fully-fledged airport, shelter and shops among others.
According to Harriet Nabbala, the Kasensero Town Clerk, the majority of residents littler feces due to a lack of pit latrines which may spark deadly diseases such as typhoid during the rainy season.
Edith Lule, a councillor representing Kalisiizo ward to Kalisiizo Sub county, indicates that they are currently gambling with local government procedures and the governing legal framework, which compromises both the quality of debates and their ability to supervise technical staff.
According to Dr. Aloysious Musoke, the Medical Officer in charge of Kakuuto HCIV, they have a 15-bed capacity which is not enough for the increasing number of patients at the maternity ward. He explains that they usually make between 4 and 6 deliveries every day which averages between 120 and 180 deliveries every month.
Luti police post which was meant to serve the areas of Luti, Kyampagi, Kalagala, Gayaza A, Gayaza B, Kyakuduse, Kamenya, and Bukalasa villages, was closed in October 2017, after thugs raided the police post and stole a gun from the police constable on duty.
Martin Tiffen, the General Manager- East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project- EACOP says they agreed to consider revised rates of 2020/2021 which Kyotera District leaders presented to the Chief Government Valuer for approval.
According to Teopista Mbabazi, the Kyotera Deputy Resident District Commissioner, they did not meet the deadline due to delays in the processing of the PAPs documents among other challenges.
According to Kalyango, while the committee received numerous reports of abuse of office including soliciting bribes from job applicants, the commissioners including the Chairperson declined the summons to respond to the allegations.
Harriet Nassuna, a resident of Bbulinda village in Kalisiizo town council in Kyotera district, says that they have been waiting for their compensation for the last three years since the evaluation exercise was conducted.
According to Dr. Alloysious Musoke, in charge of Kakuuto HCIV, the Ministry Of Health sent two teams to work jointly with the World Health Organisation, Masaka regional referral hospital and Kakuuto Health team to identify the actual cause of the illness.
Manjeri Nasanga, a caregiver in the male ward, says that patients are worried about staying in the dilapidated ward where the ceiling may collapse on them. She adds that they are excited to learn that a new ward is under construction to relieve them of their fears.
Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, says that she has received several complaints from job seekers and some concerned district councilors.
