By Our Staff Reporter

KAMPALA, UGANDA — October 5, 2026
The Government of Uganda has approved Shs62 billion to support the resettlement of families living in areas at high risk of landslides in the Mount Elgon sub-region.

The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting held on October 5, 2026, as government seeks a long-term solution to the recurring landslides and mudslides that have affected communities in the Mount Elgon highlands.

Under the first phase of the programme, government plans to acquire about 2,217.66 acres of land at an estimated cost of Shs8.87 billion.

A total of 1,423 households identified as being in extremely vulnerable areas are expected to benefit from the first phase.

Each qualifying family that opts for land resettlement will receive two acres of land valued at Shs8 million, in addition to Shs10 million to help construct a new home. This brings the total planned support to Shs18 million per household.

Despite the new funding, government faces a much larger resettlement challenge.

According to the programme estimates, another 10,558 households remain in high-risk areas across the Mount Elgon region.

The resettlement of these families is expected to require approximately Shs190.044 billion, prompting Cabinet to approve plans to seek additional funding through a supplementary budget.

The intervention is expected to benefit communities in the greater Bugisu and Mount Elgon area, where landslides have repeatedly resulted in loss of lives, destruction of homes and farmland, displacement and disruption of livelihoods.

The steep terrain of Mount Elgon, pressure on available land and heavy rainfall have continued to expose communities living on vulnerable slopes to disasters.

Families benefiting from the government programme will be required to permanently leave areas classified as dangerous.

Government also plans to take control of land surrendered in high-risk areas, including through conservation arrangements involving the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The move is intended to prevent families from returning to unsafe areas after receiving resettlement assistance.

The Office of the Prime Minister, local governments, security agencies and Parish Development Model structures are expected to participate in the implementation and monitoring of the programme.

Their role will include ensuring that the intended beneficiaries receive the assistance and use it for the purposes for which it is provided.

The latest funding comes after government previously provided Shs56 billion to support another phase of the Mount Elgon resettlement and cash-transfer programme.

The earlier programme was intended to help vulnerable families acquire safer land and receive financial support to construct homes away from disaster-prone areas.

Mount Elgon has for years faced serious challenges related to landslides, particularly in districts such as Bududa, Bulambuli and Sironko.

Past disasters have claimed lives, destroyed homes and agricultural land, and forced affected families to seek temporary shelter.

The latest Cabinet decision is expected to strengthen government efforts to find a permanent solution to the recurring disasters.

However, effective protection of communities in the Mount Elgon region will also require environmental conservation, restoration of degraded slopes, responsible land use, tree planting and improved drainage systems.

Authorities will also need to strengthen early-warning systems and support sustainable livelihoods for families affected by relocation.

The Office of the Prime Minister has previously identified Mount Elgon resettlement as part of its wider disaster-management programme.

With heavy rainfall continuing to pose a risk of landslides and mudslides in the Elgon highlands, communities living in identified danger zones are being encouraged to follow early-warning information and move to safer areas when advised.

For the affected communities, the success of the new Cabinet decision will ultimately depend on how quickly the approved funds are turned into safe land, permanent homes and sustainable livelihoods.