The Lango Parliamentary Group is protesting the planned takeover of land by government in Atira Parish in Otuke District. The MPs want government to cease any further dealings in the disputed land until all legitimate and bonafide customary owners are consulted.
The dispute arises from a controversial plan to establish a District Stock Farm in Atira parish, Olilim Sub-county. The 300-acre piece of land at Angaro village to was allegedly given to President Yoweri Museveni without consulting the land owners. Local community leaders protested saying they were not consulted yet they owned the said land.
The blame is mainly laid on Otuke Woman MP Annet Nyakecho Okwenye, who allegedly wrote a letter on January 16, 2012 informing President Museveni of availability of free land for animal breeding.
The president wrote back on February 27, 2012 asking the district officials to ensure that the land title is processed so that that it is turned into a cattle multiplication centre. Museveni also asked the officials to fence off the land and also have a dip tank constructed there. 200 cattle could later be transferred from the Presidential Farm in Ngoma, Luweero district, to Otuke for breeding such that the cows would be given to the citizens.
Last week, the MPs had embarked on a fact finding mission to establish the source of the dispute but were later blocked from accessing the venue. In the chaos that ensued, one person was killed and scores injured. Benson Obua, the Ajuri MP was angry that some district officials did not want the meeting to take place and police failed to protect the community.
Dokolo County MP Felix Okot Ogong, who is the chairperson of the parliamentary group, wants government to continue with its investigations and ensure that all those who committed acts of criminality to disrupt a consultative meeting between the MPs and the locals are brought to book. The MPs further want government to punish the Resident District Commissioner and the District Police Commander of Otuke who failed to provide security to the community when the chaos erupted. The MPs want the family of Alfred Oluge, who died during the chaos on Saturday, to be compensated by the state.
Betty Amongi, the Oyam South MP wants government to consult all the legitimate land owners including those who migrated to other parts of the country.
The MPs are now seeking audience with the President.
