The Government of Uganda has taken a significant step toward fulfilling its compensation commitments under the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP), with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) announcing the release of more than UGX 24 billion to Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) in Buvuma and Sango Bay.
The payment follows a directive by H.E. the President instructing MAAIF, working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MoLHUD), to undertake a comprehensive verification exercise to identify and confirm all PAPs affected by land acquisition for the development of commercial oil palm plantations.
The land valuation was conducted by the Government Valuer, with active participation from local leaders and affected households. The total compensation requirement stands at UGX 52 billion, which covers all verified PAPs in the two project areas.
Of the required amount, MAAIF has so far received UGX 24 billion, comprising UGX 14 billion allocated for compensation in Buvuma District and UGX 10 billion set aside for Sango Bay. The ministry has clarified that the current disbursement constitutes part-payment, pending the release of the remaining funds needed to complete the compensation process.
According to the Government valuers’ report, MAAIF has already made full compensation to 301 PAPs in the Buvuma villages of Bubembe, Bwaka, Buwanga, Mbekete, and Ndayiga. The ministry expects to compensate a total of 1,405 PAPs across 11 villages in the district. Disclosure of payment details to beneficiaries in Buvuma has been completed, with payments now being rolled out in phases as guided by the President.
In Sango Bay, disclosure by MoLHUD is ongoing. Once the process is completed and the final list is submitted, payments to PAPs in the area will commence immediately. Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all funds required to complete the exercise are released without delay.
MAAIF has extended appreciation to the various stakeholders whose involvement has been central to the successful implementation of the verification and compensation exercise. These include district leaders, technical officers, community representatives, and local residents who participated in the identification and validation of PAPs.
The ministry emphasized that it remains committed to executing the compensation process in a responsible, transparent, and efficient manner to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive what is due to them.
