Persons affected by the ongoing construction of the Kanungu-Kihihi-Rukungiri road are protesting delayed compensation by the government.
Construction of the 78.5kilometer road that connects to the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border of Ishasha started in 2018. China Henan International Corporation (CHICO) is undertaking road works valued at Shillings 118 billion.
The work has now reached the tarmacking stage in some sections. However, the projected affected persons are complaining of delayed compensation. They claim that several officials of CHICO and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) made them fill out forms and open bank accounts with promises of expediting their compensation in vain.
Loy Barekye, a resident of Ibambiro village in the Kihihi sub-county, says that CHICO demolished her house two years ago while opening the road with promises that her compensation would come soon. She says that after demolishing her house, nobody returned to give her any update concerning the compensation.
According to Barekye after waiting for a long time without any feedback, she and other affected persons decided to approach the Kinkiizi West county member of parliament, James Ruuji Kaberuka to intervene and talk to those responsible for paying compensation.
Jackeline Mugisha, a resident of Karoni village in Nyakashure ward in Nyamirama town council, says that although the construction of the road excited them, the workers destroyed part of her coffee garden while installing culverts to divert running water.
She says that her efforts to get compensation have not yielded any results since no one has come to explain to them what is happening.
Emmanuel Kyarikora, a resident of Bikurungu town council in Rukungiri district, says that CHICO workers directed culverts to his banana plantation, in addition to destroying part of his land. Kyarikora says that he has tried to follow up to at least find out how much he will be compensated in vain.
Elias Mbabazi, the Kihihi sub-county LC V councilor, says that over 80 residents of Kihihi sub-county are demanding compensation.
Sam Kajojo Arinetwe, the Kanungu LC 5 Chairperson, and Gad Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said that they have a list of more than 1000 locals demanding compensation. Both Rugaaju and Kajojo say that the contractor has not even compensated locals where they quarried stones for the road works.
The UNRA Kabale Station Manager, Felix Tumukunde Beinamaryo, says that they have asked the affected residents to be patient, saying they will receive compensation.
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