EACOP LAND TITLE DELAYS KEEP AFFECTED KYANKWANZI LAND OWNERS IN PANIC AND UNCERTAINTY

Panic and uncertainty continue to grow among land owners affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project in Kyankwanzi District, despite earlier concerns raised over delays in the return of their land titles.

The affected residents say their original land titles were taken during the process of acquiring portions of their land for the pipeline project, with an expectation that the documents would be returned after the affected sections were processed.

However, months later, some residents say they are still waiting for their titles, leaving them increasingly worried about the security and future use of their remaining land.

The continued delays have renewed concerns among the affected land owners, who say they have repeatedly sought clarification from the people and offices involved but have not received satisfactory answers. Instead, they claim they are often asked to continue waiting.

Nassanje, a resident of Kasanda Village in Gayaza County, Kyankwanzi District, is among those still waiting for her land title. She says her original document was taken during the EACOP land acquisition process after part of her land was affected by the pipeline.

Nassanje says she has made several attempts to follow up with the people concerned to establish when her title will be returned, but so far, she has not received positive feedback, leaving her uncertain about the status of her property.

The LC1 chairperson of Kaseka Village, Kiryanjobyo Parish, Gayaza Sub-county in Kyankwanzi District, says some residents in the village are living in uncertainty after their land titles were taken and have not been returned.

The chairperson says the affected residents are increasingly worried because they cannot clearly establish when their documents will be returned, despite making efforts to follow up on the matter.

For the affected land owners, the absence of their original titles goes beyond the inconvenience of missing documents. They say it affects their confidence in dealing with their remaining land, particularly when they need to undertake transactions or make long-term investments.

Community Green Radio documented the continued concerns during its community outreach in EACOP-affected communities in Kyankwanzi District. The findings show that the land-title issue remains unresolved for some residents, adding to wider concerns over the effects of land acquisition for the pipeline project.

The affected landowners are now calling on the responsible authorities and EACOP officials to explain the continued delays and ensure that their land titles are returned.

STORY COMPILED BY JOAN NANTEZA