President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to compensate more than 500 people who were displaced from Buikwe district during the 1981–1986 coups. They were mainly supporters of the then-ruling UPC party. These include the Japhadora, Gisu, Bagwere, and other ethnic groups.
President Museveni made the pledge basing on the two letters written by Nankabirwa Harriet Kimyaso, who is currently the coordinator of the “Muzee Tova ku main” Program of Buikwe district, on behalf of the people in 2013 and 2014 seeking compensation and the restoration of damaged property.
The President has sent the letter to the Attorney General and 50.8 billion shillings is expected to be used for the compensation.
Harriet Nankabirwa assured the People of Buikwe that no one will be left behind and that the President will ensure everyone is compensated.
“We are going to make sure that no one is left behind; the President cannot fail to fulfil his promise. The president has helped two people those whose plots were taken and also those who were chased, to make sure that they too can get compensation,” Nankabirwa said.
The people of Buikwe shared the challenges they face because of exile, and one lady, a resident, said now is the time that they too got compensation.
“We are on tiny plots of land. But now is our time to be compensated for our misery, we have cried a lot of tears for 40 years”, the Lady stated.
One Odoi John Bosco, says that for years they have not been compensated, but now he thanks the government and President Museveni for the initiative.
“We buried our ancestors there, but those people grabbed the land around 85–86 there, I remember. We were displaced by the war, and then none of us were allowed to take any documents or carry anything. I thank President Museveni for the initiative”, John Bosco said.
In 1985, President Milton Obote was overthrown by a military coup led by Gen.Tito Okello, which was followed by a period of political instability, including the 1981–1986 bush war, which led to the displacement of many people.