Uganda Moves 10,000 Families to Safety From Landslide Zones

More than 10,000 families living in the shadow of deadly landslides are getting a lifeline from Uganda's government. Each verified household receives 10 million Ugandan shillings (about $2,700) and two acres of land to build a permanent home far from danger.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja launched the second phase of the program in Kween District, where the government purchased 1,318 acres of safer land. The investment totals 56 billion shillings, roughly $15 million, dedicated entirely to protecting vulnerable communities in the Mount Elgon region.

So far, 121 households from Sironko and Bulambuli districts have received their funds and land. They're among 1,224 families relocated in 2024 to the Bunabutye holding ground, where new lives are taking root.

The program comes with important conditions designed to prevent families from drifting back to high-risk areas. To receive their two-acre plot, households must surrender their original land to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It's a firm but necessary step after earlier resettlement efforts saw some families return to dangerous slopes.

Officials are also keeping close watch on how families use the cash support. State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Lillian Aber emphasized that the money must go toward building durable homes, not temporary structures or other expenses. Some beneficiaries in earlier phases built grass-thatched houses that couldn't withstand the elements.

The support doesn't stop at land and money. Government crews are extending roads, water systems, and health facilities to the resettlement areas. Officials are encouraging families to plant high-value crops during the rainy season to boost their incomes on their new land.

The Ripple Effect

Local leaders in Kween see the program as more than disaster relief. Member of Parliament William Chemonges views it as a chance to strengthen community bonds across tribal lines. When thousands of families resettle together, they create new neighborhoods where cooperation matters more than old divisions.

The host communities are welcoming the newcomers, recognizing that safer, more stable families benefit everyone. With infrastructure improvements coming to previously underdeveloped areas, entire regions stand to gain better access to essential services.

These 10,000 families won't have to watch the skies with dread anymore, wondering if the next heavy rain will bring disaster down the mountain.