Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has told leaders from Acholi sub region led by the Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II that government intends to supply the cattle currently being bred at Aswa ranch to a private beef processing company–the Egypt-Uganda Food Security Company.
The new privately owned beef processing company located along Bombo road in Luweero district was opened by President Yoweri Museveni late last year. The company is reportedly owned by , Hassan Fath-allah, an Egyptian national.
The Acholi leaders met with Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda in his office in Kampala on Tuesday to express concern over the proposed plan by government to give away Aswa ranch to private ranchers and senior NRM leaders.
Dr Rugunda Ruhakana is reported to have told the Acholi leaders that the cows will be fattened at Aswa Ranch before being given to the Egypt-Uganda Food Security Company.
The factory, according to sources who attended the meeting, quoted Rugunda as saying that the factory will need 400 cattle each day and government is doing all it can to meet the demand by taking over three state owned ranches in the country.
But the Paramount Chief, Rwot Acana II, expressed that leaders from Acholi are being stopped from visiting the ranch. In response, Rugunda reportedly the leaders should get in touch with government before visiting the land since it[ ranch] is guarded.
While opening the company the Egypt-Uganda Food Security Company last year, Museveni said the company was crucial to the Ugandan economy because it will make Uganda’s beef accessible to the international market.
For years there has been suspicion in Acholi that the government and some powerful individuals have had their eyes set on the 46,000 hectares Aswa ranch.
The ranch was economically vibrant in the 1960s and produced milk, meat and other livestock products but was looted during the war that pitted the then National Resistance Army (NRA) against several rebel groups in the 1980s.
Acholi leaders at the meeting with Prime Minister Rugunda included Gulu Chairman Ojara Mapenduzi, his Kitgum counterpart Jackson, the Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot David Acana II and his Prime Minister Ambrose Ola.
Another meeting is scheduled next week between the Acholi leaders and the Prime Minister to continue with the discussion.
4 Comments
Acholi land has been pilfered since the colonial times. ” Between the years of 1907 and 1912, the inhabitants of an area of about 13,000 sq.km were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tse-tse flies. This paved the way for the establishment of the Bunyoro Game Reserve in 1910 (Acholiand and Bunyoro were net yet part of Uganda Protectorate), which encompassed roughly the area south of the Nile River that is now part of the National Park in Masindi District. In 1928 the boundaries were extended into Gulu District north of the river, and the resulting protected area (PA) became known as the Bunyoro-Gulu Game Reserve. As the human population had already been evacuated due to sleeping sickness, it was possible to establish this game reserve without displacing any of the local people for the sake of the park. ” IMAGINE, no consultation.
Were we compensated, did we lose our RIGHTS over our game park land, and HOW? How much have we gained from this game park zone of exclusion.?
In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda. (MADE in KAMPALA LAWS!!
Now we have Aswa Ranch – similar history. They walk in and take without apology because we do not rebel and challenge authority like for eg Buganda does. It is known that the same Arab slavers of the Acoli have actually been given/sold Aswa ranch under our noses. Why does the ARAB not raise his cattle in Luwero /Rwakitura/Kigezi then? Teso had meat Packers under UDC(1960s) except UDC did not own land in Teso to supply its needs – it got its animals from individual Teso, Karamojong and Lango cattle keepers..
Slave mentality PM, am sorry. Acholi land will always belong to Acoli people. Uganda is merely a geographical and political inconvenience. Will your guns escort the cattle to slaughter through Acholiland then? Misuse of the armed forces.
Your Highness, maintain Acholi land rights according to the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Please READ the link below before you next meet the PM and take along a Lawyer.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf
Southern Sudan gang deyo wa!!! Bedo rok tek wek adok tuwa i southern sudan wek omat cak omede ki mingu gi.
I have great respect for Acholi Perliamentary Groups(APG),Acholi Ker Kwaro and LC5 Chairmen for Acholi Sub Region.
Let us Re-Visit our Unity and Cultural Institution before a serious negotiation for the Acholi Rights with all the Investors bringing Trade,Industry,Employment opportunity in Acholiland.
The common agreement to help the future Generation and Parliament approach is important.
Twenty Years ago,We have allowed Snakes from the surrounding bush to enter in to our Houses without elimination.”Ka imito Neko Twol,go ma pud tye ka aa idye lum”.Lack of Unity for our Nation Acholiland which is totally fragmented is our Weaknesses.
The Goverment since 1996 ocako lok kum Mayo Ngom wa pi Amuru Furu Sukari,omede i Apaa Junction gidiro Kidi gitye ka Neko the Self-Economic Farmers in cold Blood,man tin dong watye i lok kom Mayo Aswa Ranch.Diki dok iwinyo ni Dano me Lamwo Distric myero Gipok gi woko.
“Lotela wa kony gi peke,Ribe peke,that is why they are defeated,they dont consider the mandate of the People as the Strongest Weapon”
“Politics,obedo calo dwaro Jobi,ka icito keni Lurok weki,Jobi Neki.Tim girumu aruma,ki penyo tam pire tek”.
Lweny me kare ni Gitiyo ki SHARING INFORMATION keken.Poko Districts is Weakening many Ugandans(It is a divide and Rule).
The Acholis as a People,”We have to keep reminding our Generation,what happened that day”.
The Government needs to listen,Consult so that we can work together.but for Now we are Opposed to Aswa Ranch Beef Intimidation.that is a Provocative Physicality Studies unacceptable.We need the Industry in Aholiland for the Youths to get Working at Home not in Luwero.
The land is used for free and that egyptian gets the profits.acholi gets northing.Why can´t they negotiate a fee for the use of that land.The fee should go to the local acholi government.The baganda are fed up and are taking the law into their own hands.