Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) parliamentary candidates have won all the parliamentary seats in Amuru district.
The newly elected members of parliament vowed to defend the land rights of local communities.
In kilak South County, Incumbent MP Gilbert Olanya (FDC) polled 16,983 voted followed by Michael Nyeko Ocula (NRM) with 4,279 while Ms Lanam Kijange obtained 625
In Kilak North county, Mr Anthony Akol (FDC) got 10,243, Christopher Ojera (NRM) polled 3,997, Mr Simba Francis (Indep) obtained 543, Concy Adoch Nyapolo 531, Louis Atube Omach (Indep), 489 Daniel Ayiga (Jeema) 169 and Geoffrey Okot P’ dong (NRM) polled 77 votes
In the woman MP race , incumbent Lucy Akello (FDC) garnered 24,717 defeating NRM’s Jane Frances Amongin Okilli for the second. Okilli got 10,853 votes
In an interview with Acholi Times, Mr Gilbert Olanya stressed that the new MPs will form a ‘‘formidable force as team’’ force to fight for the land rights of local people.
“I am glad that my colleagues have emerged victorious the same way I have done. We shall fight for the right of the people as we will not allow them to force our people form the land that they belongs to,’’ Olanya said.
He appealed to the government to have a mutual dialogue with locals if they have an interest in the land arguing that forcibly evicting them is a form of ‘injustice’
Background
Land conflicts in northern Uganda arose as people, who had been displaced by the two decades Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, began to return home in 2006 after years in internally displaced peoples camps.
In April last year, elderly women stripped naked in protest against a boundary demarcation on a contested piece of land in Apaa village in Pabbo sub county that is claimed by both Amuru and Adjumani
districts.
Residents of Amuru District have also locked horns with government over the giveaway of a big chunk of land to the Madhvani Group for sugarcane growing.
Besigye wins in Amuru
In the presidential elections, Dr Kizza Besigye (FDC) polled 20,584, Mr Yoweri Museveni (NRM) 12,727, Abed Bwanika (PDP) 1,256, Venansius Baryamureeba (Indep) 744, Benon Biraaro (FP) 407, Elton John Mabirizi (Indep) with 347 and Maureen Kyalya (Indep) 284.
By Terence Alur
3 Comments
Congratulations to those who won. Mr. Alur, as for the “background” you write as though you are not in Uganda. The displacement of people was it caused by LRA? You should inform the world accurately, by stating that the people were displaced by the insurgency. Dok wun jo Agago myero wugwokke ki ladit Ogenga Latigo ba.
Acholi should praise God and requests their elders and all the people to offer prayers to God and blow the ram’s/sheep’s horns to usher infinite Lights of God The Creator for peace, humour, good health and progress in abundances. A new era has commence, and the darkest years are long gone forever. May God bless you all.
Thank you for being a true Ugandans.