{UAH} ACHOLI MPs THREATEN TO STRIP///

 

 

 

Acholi MPs threaten to strip

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Residents of Apaa parish in a meeting organised by MPs Gilbert Olanya and Lucy Akello in Apaa recently. Photo by Julius Ocungi 

By  JULIUS OCUNGI

Posted  Friday, May 15  2015 at  01:00

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Gulu- MPs from Acholi sub-region have said government is secretly plotting to survey the contested Apaa parish land in total contravention of a recent position reached between the government and local leaders not to demarcate the land.

The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, early this month convened the much-anticipated meeting to resolve the Apaa land conflict, but the thorny issue of the boundary demarcation remained unresolved.

Area MPs have, however, expressed doubt on the government's will to respect the position reached at the May 5 meeting on the contested land.

In a joint press conference they held in Gulu Town on Tuesday, Kilak County MP Gilberty Olanya, who was accompanied by the Aruu County MP, Mr Odonga Otto, Amuru Woman MP Lucy Akello and the Gulu Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan, said a team of surveyors has been sent from the Ministry of Lands to secretly lay mark stones to seal the boundary demarcation.

Mr Olanya insisted that the surveyors were already in Gulu Town meeting security officials before they could go to Apaa.

"This is a provocation by the government, because we have clearly resolved the matter with the prime minister that the people first be consulted, but it looks like the resolutions are not being honoured," he said, adding: "Why is the government in a rush to demarcate the land, what is so special on that Apaa land that the government is so interested in planting mark stones without consulting us or honouring the recent resolutions?"

He said the secret move is a clear sign that the government cannot be trusted in negotiations. He noted that the only way they can fight "land grabbing" by government is through mobilising the locals to stand in and protect their land.

Land sold?
Mr Otto claimed government is trying all possible ways of erecting mark stone, arguing that the land in question was already sold to an investor who wants to open up a tourism business.

"This is not a demarcation exercise as they allege, there is a big motive here. What makes them rush to this area barely weeks after meeting and making resolutions on this contested land, the boundary has already been demarcated by the colonial government," Mr Otto said.

Mr Otto further said the people in the region were already tired of the government's intension to grab their land, adding that it's them (MPs), who will strip if the government does not use the right approach.

Mr Daudi Migereko, the Lands minister, said he was unaware of such a move. "I am not informed of such a move by my ministry to demarcate the Apaa land, I am still in contact with the Prime Minister to find out the details. At the moment i can't delve into the allegations, " he said.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

 

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