Leaders from districts in Acholi including Members of Parliament (MPs), district chairpersons, Cultural leaders, opinion leaders and religious leaders under the Acholi sub region leaders forum have resolved to have all activities taking place in Aswa ranch halted saying the Local community and the local governments were not involved in the alleged restocking at the ranch last year.
This resolution was arrived at during a meeting on Saturday 30th of May at Bomah Hotel Kitgum district.
The leaders also resolved that any future activities in the ranch must be with the express consent and knowledge of the local governments of the area after an exhaustive engagement of the Acholi people and their leadership.
Mr Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the chairperson of the Acholi sub region leaders’ forum noted that Government failed to respond to the written communication dated 12th August 2014 by Acholi paramount chief Rwot David Onen Acana II.
He said Government should first put on hold their movement in the area and have dialogue with the leaders first.
Opinion leader, Mr Zerubabel Abuka, Mr Lyando Komakech, a researcher with Refugee Law Project, Mr Ocitti Tom Oryema, the Nwoya vice chairperson , Mr Odonga Otto the Aruu County MP and Mr Akena Alfred, the Pader district chairperson presented a report titled ‘Examining the status of Aswa Ranch and its complication on the post war conflict recovery’
The report exposes the presence of the UPDF army in the area and also destruction of the community crops among others.
“We shall not be happy here when balalo are carrying guns while keeping animals illegally in the ranch,” Sheik Musa Khalil, the Acholi district Khadi said.
The meeting also named Mr Odonga Otto, Mr Julius Ojok and Mr Ladwar Walter as the legal team in place to unearth all the legal requirements since the leaders threatened to sue Government if their concerns are not addressed within 30 days.
The legal team argued that Uganda development cooperation has since ceased to exist rendering any further engagement impossible and the activities of ranches stopped a long time ago.
The leaders want government to explain whose cows are being kept on the ranch and why the locals and their leaders have been sidelined.
Mr Hilary Onek, the Lamwo County MP who also doubles as the Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Minister said that, “Whereas the previous boundaries of the ranch never included parts of Lamwo, a doctored map shows that the ranch crosses river Pager from the north and River Aswa from the west.”
He said, “There are many conmen posing as Government agents with intentions of grabbing land.”
He explained that the animals in the ranch are government cattle but that some people are doctoring the map beyond the original ranch size.
2 Comments
i was recently in Otuke (Lira), when I noticed UPDF soldiers manning a road block within an area, supposedly, being used to keep and graze Museveni’s cattle. I almost shed my tears having realized the sheer sense of hopelessness faced by a community completely void of men able to protect their land. And now we seem to have the same situation in Aswa. Unlike the Langis who appear to have given up, I expect the Acholis to protect every inch of their land. Remember, it’s just a matter of time, everything will be OK.
Remember Uganda map 1910 never had large part of Northern and Eastern Uganda as part of Uganda. Only Buganda (after whom Uganda was named), Toro and Ankole signed the protectorate agreement with the British. Up to 1962 there was no agreement making the rest of Ugandans colonial property. UDC ranch scheme can not be a basis for current Government looting scheme. They abolished co-operatives etc. We shall eat those cows. Balaloo may have encroached in Bunyoro but past Karuma is pushing it. An elephant NEVER FORGETS!!!