Baker Ochola, the retired Bishop of Kitgum Diocese has blamed government for the escalating land conflicts in Northern Uganda. Bishop Ochola, who also doubles as the chairperson of the United Religious Initiative, a Non Government Organization advocating for a peaceful resolution to the land conflicts, says government has a lot of interest in acquiring land for individuals instead of public projects. In an exclusive interview with URN at Gracious Palace Hotel in Lira town on Friday, the Bishop said there is no country in the World that gives land to foreigners.
He claimed that the land clash in Otuke district where Alfred Oluge, a clan chief was killed, was a deliberate action by the government since it is the president who is interested in land as an individual to graze his animals. Bishop Ochola also cited the land conflict in Amuru district where government is pushing to give Madhvani Sugar Company a huge chunk of for sugarcane plantation.
He instead says Madhvani should construct a sugar factory and allow residents to grow sugar cane. Bishop Ochola explains that they are not opposed to investors but want the investors to negotiate with individual land owners.
//Cue in: “We like investors………………….
Cue out…come and negotiate with the community”//
Bishop Ochola was supported by Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal. According to Ogwal those interested in the land should enter agreements with indigenous owners.
//Cue in: “Any piece of land in Lango is……………………
Cue out…of the indigenous owner”//
Communities in Northern Uganda are up against government for allegedly trying to grab their land. Last month, a violent clash broke out in Atirayon parish amongst residents over the proposed allocation of 300 acres of land to President Yoweri Museveni to set up a livestock multiplication center.
A group of residents opposed to land give away was attacked by those in favour of the project in presence of district authorities leading to the death Alfred Oluge, a local clan chief.
