The Bugisu Cultural Institution has asked the government to involve its leadership and clan structures in the compensation and relocation of communities living in landslide-prone areas, warning that excluding cultural leaders could undermine the success of the exercise.
The institution’s spokesperson, Uwelukoosi Steven Masiga, told The Ankole Times in a telephone interview from Mbale City that cultural leaders must be consulted during planning, community sensitisation, compensation and relocation of the affected residents.
Masiga said the institution was concerned that government decisions regarding the relocation of its subjects were being made without adequate consultation with the cultural leadership.
He called on the government to involve clan chairpersons, their executive committees and the entire leadership of the Bugisu Cultural Institution in the process.
“How can you relocate over 2,000 families without briefing us?” Masiga asked.
He said the institution was ready to support the government’s efforts to protect residents from landslides but insisted that cultural leaders should be given an opportunity to contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
Masiga also raised concerns about the fate of cultural sites and traditional family grounds located in the areas earmarked for relocation, saying consultations were necessary to establish how these sites would be preserved or relocated where appropriate.
He argued that the exercise should go beyond moving people away from dangerous areas to ensuring that their cultural heritage, traditions and community structures are respected.
The spokesperson commended the government for taking steps to protect communities exposed to natural disasters but urged authorities to work closely with customary and cultural leaders to improve public understanding and cooperation.
He said the Bugisu Cultural Institution had established leadership structures and cultural protocols that could help mobilise residents, address concerns and support the implementation of government programmes.
Masiga warned that excluding the institution could create misunderstandings and lead to unnecessary blame if the relocation programme encountered challenges that could have been addressed through consultation.
He further expressed concern over reports that some residents were considering marrying additional wives in anticipation of possible compensation payments. He called for community sensitisation to address such expectations and promote responsible decision-making.
The relocation exercise is intended to protect people living in landslide-prone areas of Bugisu, where communities face risks associated with dangerous terrain and unstable slopes.
As the government advances its plans, the cultural institution wants its leadership formally involved in discussions on compensation, relocation arrangements and the protection of cultural sites.
Masiga maintained that the institution was not opposed to the government’s intervention but wanted the process to be conducted through consultation and cooperation with the communities affected.
He said involving cultural leaders would help build trust, address local concerns and support the successful implementation of the relocation programme.
