Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara has announced that he has cleared an outstanding bank loan that threatened to leave five orphaned children in Kanungu District homeless. The intervention has brought relief to the children, whose only family home was at risk of being sold after their uncle reportedly used the property to secure a loan before disappearing.
The children’s situation attracted public attention after one of them, a young girl, tearfully narrated their struggles during Balaam’s Expose the Corrupt rally in Kanungu. Her emotional account highlighted their fear of losing the home they had inherited from their family because of a financial obligation they said they were not responsible for.
Following the public appeal, Balaam intervened and announced in a statement on his X account that the outstanding loan owed to Centenary Bank had been fully paid, bringing the balance down to zero. He said the development would allow arrangements to begin for securing the property in the names of the five children.
According to the minister, their uncle had mortgaged the family home to obtain a bank loan and later disappeared, leaving the children exposed to the possibility of losing their inheritance. The children had reportedly been worried that the bank could eventually sell the property to recover the outstanding money.
Balaam said the next step would be to transfer the property title into the children’s names and place an appropriate caveat on it to protect their ownership. “Arrangements will now be made to transfer the property title into the names of the five children and have it appropriately caveated to safeguard their interests and protect their inheritance,” he stated.
Beyond clearing the debt, the minister also pledged to support all five children through their education up to Senior Six. He commended the newly elected Kanungu District LC5 Chairman, Mr Byamukama, for offering them scholarships at his school, describing the support as an important contribution to their future.
The minister further said he would involve the LC5 chairman, together with the children’s aunt and caretaker, in overseeing their welfare and education. He wants the adults responsible for them to ensure that they remain protected and grow up in a safe and supportive environment.
Balaam acknowledged other people who contributed towards resolving the family’s predicament, saying the intervention was not simply about settling a bank loan but also protecting the inheritance of vulnerable children. The repayment has removed the immediate debt burden, while the planned transfer of the title is intended to provide further protection against future disputes.
For the five children, the announcement marks a major relief after fears that they could lose the only home they had left. With the loan reportedly cleared and education support promised, attention now turns to completing the property transfer and ensuring that their inheritance and welfare remain protected.
About the Author
