Why Buliisa deserves better leaders

Op-Ed: As political tension intensifies across the country, it is time for the people of Buliisa to reflect deeply and choose leaders who will truly represent their interests in Parliament.

For far too long, the Bagungu people have endured countless hardships from natural disasters to government neglect with little to no support from their elected officials.

Since 2020, over 10,000 households have been displaced by flooding along the Lake Albert shores, particularly in Butiaba, Walukuba, Bugoigo, Katala, and Wanseko. Homes were destroyed, properties worth billions lost, and families left destitute many still living hand-to-mouth, some unable to afford even a daily meal.

Despite pledges from the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robbinah Nabbanja, to resettle the victims, no meaningful action has been taken. Instead of raising these pressing issues in Parliament, our leaders remain silent.

Buliisa is rich in oil, yet it lacks a single government-established vocational institution. How are the youth expected to benefit from the oil and gas sector without relevant skills?

Though the community and local leaders established a vocational institute in Kigwera Sub-county, it remains underfunded and neglected. With only five government-aided secondary schools across the district, the education infrastructure is grossly inadequate.

Additionally, majority of sub counties and town councils lack heath centres and secondary schools as per government guidelines thus some students missing secondary education.

Land grabbing in Buliisa is rampant. Residents in villages such as Kakora in Bugana Parish, Butiaba, Kitigo, Bubwe, and Kalengeija A have been threatened, evicted, or had their properties destroyed. In Kakora, homes were burned, people displaced, and yet the government did not intervene.

In some cases, individuals such as Kahwa Balaam and Prince Kintu Gafabusa claim ownership over vast tracts of land yet even when government officials attempt to mediate, no tangible results are seen. This negligence has left the community vulnerable and insecure in their own homeland.

Elephant invasions continue to claim lives and destroy livelihoods. Though an electric fence project has been initiated, progress is painfully slow. The people of Buliisa cannot continue to suffer and die while leaders look away.

Tensions recently escalated when angry community members chased away leaders, including LC5 Chairperson Mr. Fred Lukumu and RDC Longino Bahebwa Byagagaire, from a burial ceremony a clear sign of public frustration with ineffective leadership.

While the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) plays an important role in safeguarding Uganda’s waters, some elements within the unit have exploited and abused local fishermen. Reports of corruption, extortion, and destruction of boats and nets have left the fishing community in despair.

Despite appeals for government support to purchase the required fishing gear, nothing has been done. Residents are recovering from the impact of COVID-19 and now face additional burdens from floods and economic hardship yet their cries go unanswered.

When one group in Buliisa suffers, another is not far behind. Whether it is fishermen, cattle keepers, flood victims, or land dispute victims all are crying out with the same, increasingly louder, voice. Unfortunately, they cry to leaders who remain either indifferent or incompetent.

Buliisa deserves better. We need leaders who will advocate for our people, not disappear after elections. We need leaders who understand that oil, land, water, and wildlife are both assets and challenges and that our people must be empowered to manage them.

This election season, let us vote not for party colors or empty promises, but for those who have a proven track record of integrity, action, and genuine concern for the people of Buliisa.

It’s time to reclaim our voice. It’s time to choose better leaders.

The writer is Innocent Atuganyira, a concerned resident of the oil-rich Buliisa district.

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