President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured residents of Buvuma District that the government will fully compensate landowners who surrendered their land for oil palm growing, ending years of uncertainty surrounding the project.
The President, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections, made the assurance on Saturday while addressing a campaign rally in the island district. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.
President Museveni said funds for compensation are available and that the process is now being handled decisively, with emphasis on proper verification to ensure only rightful landowners are paid.
“On compensating the oil palm landowners, we are going to discuss who should be compensated and who should not. The money is there, but we must study the matter very carefully,” Museveni said.
He disclosed that his legal team has already compiled a detailed report to guide the process. “My lawyer has a report for me. I am going to study it, and we shall work on it immediately,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Earlier, NRM Vice Chairperson for the Central Region, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, acknowledged that compensation for land acquired under the oil palm project has been a long-standing concern in Buvuma. He revealed that the government committed Shs24 billion for compensation, of which Shs14 billion has already been released.
“The money that has been released should go to the rightful landowners. Everyone who surrendered land for oil palm growing will be paid fairly. No one will be left out,” Kasolo said.
He added that the government plans to establish an oil palm processing plant in Buvuma as part of its value-addition strategy aimed at improving farmers’ incomes.
Beyond compensation, President Museveni highlighted peace as the foundation of development in Buvuma and other island districts, citing improvements in roads, electricity, telecommunications, water and internet connectivity.
Addressing the fishing sector, the President attributed the degradation of Lake Victoria to human activity rather than enforcement agencies, urging fishermen to protect breeding areas and practice sustainable fishing.
“It is the fisheries that spoiled the lake. Don’t use the army as an excuse. The problem came from overcrowding and people entering breeding areas,” he said.
He also pledged to establish a fish processing factory in the district to support the local fishing economy.
On electricity, Museveni acknowledged that Buvuma remains the only district not connected to the national grid but said government is addressing the challenge through solar power generation and extending electricity lines from Mayuge District.
“We are working on it in two ways. One is solar energy, and the other is extending power cables from Mayuge. I have directed those responsible to explain why it was delayed,” he said.
The President further announced plans to upgrade Buvuma Health Centre IV into a district hospital and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure despite the district’s island geography.
In education, Museveni welcomed the growth of schools in the district, noting that Buvuma now has 20 government primary schools and 64 private primary schools, as well as two government secondary schools and five private ones.
He reaffirmed government plans to have at least one government secondary school in every sub-county and emphasised the need for boarding schools to support fishing communities.
On water access, the President said progress has been made, with 112 out of 213 villages now accessing safe water—about 53 percent coverage—through piped systems, rehabilitated boreholes and new solar-powered schemes.
He also pointed to population growth as a sign of stability and development, noting that Buvuma’s population has more than doubled since it became a district.
As the NRM steps up its nationwide campaigns, President Museveni urged residents to continue supporting the party, assuring them that outstanding issues—particularly compensation for oil palm landowners—will be conclusively addressed.
The President also formally handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, the LC V chairperson, councillors and other party candidates in Buvuma District ahead of the forthcoming elections.
