After swearing-in, Sebei MPs prioritise resettlement, tourism roads

Members of parliament from Sebei sub-region have identified landslide resettlement, tourism infrastructure, cattle restocking and boundary disputes as key priorities as the 12th parliament begins business.

At least six legislators from Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Kween and Sironko districts outlined their legislative agendas shortly after taking oath. T’oo County MP Peter Kiti said his immediate focus would be the resettlement of hundreds displaced by recent landslides, as well as lobbying for irrigation projects in Bukwo district.

The landslides in T’oo constituency claimed more than 27 lives and left several families living in temporary camps.

“It’s my prayer that those people are resettled soon so they can live decently,” Kiti said.

He commended President Yoweri Museveni and the Office of the Prime Minister for responding after he raised the matter during a meeting at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.

According to Kiti, the president directed the prime minister to follow up on the matter, raising hopes among affected residents that government support would soon arrive.

Kiti also pledged to lobby ministries to invest in irrigation schemes, arguing that Bukwo has vast fertile land that remains underutilised because of unreliable rainfall.

He further said he would engage the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the ministry of Tourism to address recurring conflicts between conservation authorities and communities living near protected areas.

Kapchorwa Municipality MP Patrick Kitiyo said improving tourism roads leading to Mount Elgon would be critical in opening up Sebei to investment and economic opportunities.

“This requires lobbying, and it’s one of the pertinent things which, if done, will unlock the potential of Sebei to the outside world,” Kitiyo said.

He also pledged to push for implementation of the Odweri Board report and urged government to include Sebei in national cattle restocking, compensation and resettlement programmes.

Kitiyo noted that the sub-region had suffered decades of cattle rustling by armed groups from Karamoja and neighbouring Pokot communities since the 1970s, yet had largely missed out on government restocking schemes.

He further called for the establishment of a referral hospital extension in Sebei and quicker resolution of boundary disputes between UWA and host communities, saying peaceful coexistence was essential for tourism development.

Kitiyo added that the absence of courts and a university in the sub-region forces residents to travel to Mbale for essential services at high cost.

Soi County MP Isaac Malinga Maikut said he would work closely with residents to tackle insecurity, cattle rustling, water scarcity and poor social services in Bukwo district.

“I pledge to work with the community to ensure issues affecting them like cattle rustling by Karimojong, insecurity, water scarcity, poor education and health services, unemployment and poverty are addressed,” Maikut said.

He also vowed to follow up recruitment processes in public institutions to ensure jobs are awarded on merit and to curb corruption.

Budadiri East MP Julius Nakiyi said resolving the landslide crisis, addressing forest boundary disputes and upgrading health services would top his agenda.

Nakiyi blamed environmental degradation for the recurring landslides and urged residents earmarked for relocation to accept government compensation packages and move to safer lowland areas.

He also said he would lobby government to upgrade Budadiri health centre IV into a district hospital, noting that both Sironko and Bulambuli districts currently lack a fully-fledged hospital.

Women’s empowerment, Benet resettlement

Kween County MP William Chemonges, now serving a second term, said his experience in parliament would help him push for lasting solutions to the displacement of the Benet community from Mount Elgon National Reserve, as well as insecurity, landslides and delayed compensation claims.

Meanwhile, Kapchorwa District Woman MP Philis Chemtai said her priority would be supporting women’s groups and lobbying for development programmes aimed at improving household incomes.

“I will begin with supporting women groups in various ways and lobbying government projects that will empower my people,” Chemtai said.

The Sebei sub-region, located on the slopes of Mount Elgon, has for years grappled with recurrent landslides, land disputes and cross-border cattle rustling.