Sheema leaders, UNRA strike deal over church, schools compensation cash
UNRA, SDA Members, and heads of institutions after the meeting
Amos Tayebwa
Mbarara
A team from Sheema district in western Uganda has today-Thursday 11th met with Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials to discuss matters surrounding compensation money for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) on Bwizibwera – Nyakambu – Kabwohe – Bugongi – Kitagata road project.
In a meeting which took place at UNRA headquarters in Kampala, the Sheema group was led by Sheema Development Association (SDA) chairman Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha alongside representatives of institutions affected by the project.
A five member team from UNRA on valuations, environment, compensation and social impact assessment attended the meeting.
Concrete deliverables within a specific time were agreed on during the meeting. The UNRA team will also convene a meeting with Church officials to further elaborate on how compensation money will be handled.
UNRA also asked affected 24 institutions to provide more details on land ownership and evidence of undervaluation.
These details will form a basis for more concrete resolutions.
Among the schools or institutions that were affected include Masheruka S.S, Masheruka Modern P/S, Bunura P/S, and Nganwa Junior and these claim that they have evidence that the land affected was either bought or donated, not from the church.
24 institutions were affected in total.
Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha, Chairman SDA told this website that among the issues that were discussed during the meeting was about who to compensate, who owns the land, who donated the land and who has proof.
All this follows disagreements on who should receive the compensation money—Church of Uganda or affected schools directly.
Sheema district leaders have been at war with West Ankole Diocese over church founded schools’ compensation related matters.
The district leaders accuse the Church of intentions to hijack the compensation process and distribute compensated funds using a lease and rent policy.
This issue prompted the leaders and stakeholders of Sheema district to petition UNRA against West Ankole Diocese and the Church of Uganda.
In their petition they want the compensation money from UNRA to go directly to the affected institutions; not passing through the church account.
It was also based on information that was raised from UNRA officials that the affected structures of the schools and land will be compensated but that all the monies will be paid to the diocese.
During Thursday’s meeting, it was resolved that in the meantime no payment will be made to any institution in this realm.
SDA and institutions representatives presented a justification on why compensation money must go directly to institutions to replace affected infrastructure to enable over 3,000 children to continue going to school.
This, they said, will make the project more acceptable and beneficial to the community than having one that bars learners from learning because of lost infrastructure.
Another complaint was the undervalued properties where members of the School management committee said some valuations were not properly discussed, and thus values assessed didn’t reflect what is on ground.
Members from Sheema Development Association and heads of institutions that attended this meeting include Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha SDA Chairman, Richard Muhangi SDA, Godwin Arikwera from Masheruka P/S, Edson Kateego from Nganwa Junior, Robert Tumwijukye SDA, Bernard Makaaru SDA, Edgar Kwikiriza from Bunura PS, Kigarama and Sam Kahima from Masheruka Modern P/S.
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