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Article

31 Mar 2014

Author:
Bashir Twesigye, Executive Director, Civic Response on Environment and Development (CRED), in Oil in Uganda

Who is to blame for property valuation mess? [Uganda]

The oil and gas sector is swamped with complaints relating to compensation rates for crops, structures and land...[T]he government is handling the compensation and resettlement of households in Kabaale parish...whose land was earmarked for the construction of the refinery. The affected people have on several occasions expressed displeasure with the values attached to their properties...The Ministry of Energy has indicated that they contracted Strategic Friends International to develop the Resettlement Action Plan and carry out property valuations...Land valuations were conducted by the same firm on behalf of the ministry and were subsequently approved by the office of the chief government valuer. The Hoima District Land Board claims that compensation rates are compiled every year and presented to the chief government valuer. However, the government valuers delay in approving the rates...The institutional blame game has left communities in despair. Some affected persons are considering going to court as the only remaining option.