By Frank Kamuntu
Kasoli Tenants Sacco, established in 2003 in Tororo Municipal Council, embarked on a housing project in 2010 with the admirable goal of providing homes for its 250 member households but it’s leaders say Standard Gauge Railway project is doing more harm than good to them.
Read Full Letter Below
Your Excellency President Yoweri Museveni,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We, the undersigned members of Kasoli Tenants Sacco, are writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern and seek your urgent intervention in a situation that has left us oppressed, marginalized, and in dire need of justice.
Kasoli Tenants Sacco, established in 2003 in Tororo Municipal Council, embarked on a housing project in 2010 with the admirable goal of providing homes for its 250 member households. Through a partnership with stakeholders such as DFCU, UN-Habitat, the Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning, and Tororo District Municipal Council, we secured a loan of approximately 1 million USD to fund the project.
The construction commenced in 2016, and progress was made with 92 houses completed. However, on 1 March 2016, we were abruptly informed by the standard railway gauge project to cease our work, promising compensation and relocation. Regrettably, despite the promises made, no compensation has been provided to date.
DFCU committed not to tax us for the entire 8-year period, yet now, they are seeking interest for the same duration. The Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning intends to offer the same amount proposed in 2016, disregarding the increased land and housing values over the past 8 years. Furthermore, DFCU is demanding that we vacate the premises within three months.
We are in a state of distress, as Tororo has developed, and we find ourselves with nowhere to go. The 250 families have now grown into thousands over this 8-year period, and our pleas for fairness and justice have fallen on deaf ears.
It is disheartening to note that the Solicitor General of Uganda advised the Ministry to compensate us fairly, considering the increased value of the land. We implore Your Excellency to intervene and ensure that justice prevails in this matter. We humbly request your office to investigate the conduct of those responsible for our predicament and take appropriate action against any wrongdoing.
We believe in your commitment to justice, fairness, and the well-being of all Ugandans. Your intervention will not only rectify the injustice faced by the members of Kasoli Tenants Sacco but also send a strong message against mistreatment of local communities.
We thank you for your attention to this matter and trust that your intervention will bring relief to the oppressed and marginalized members of Kasoli Tenants Sacco.
Sincerely,
Concerned citizens.
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