The Acholi Cultural institution, Ker Kwaro Acholi, has issued a strongly worded statement in response to a Sunday Monitor story in which Lands Minister Betty Amongi was quoted as saying that government will use force to demarcate land in Amuru that the Madhavani Group of companies with the support of government has for years now been eyeing for sugarcane growing.
The Sunday Monitor story reported that the survey exercise is planned for this month after a deal was reportedly reached between the government, land owners and the some cultural leaders to to make available 10,000 acres for sugarcane growing.
“Anyone who is thinking of stopping [next week’s] survey of this land, or anyone who is thinking of stopping the acquisition of land title for this project is dreaming. I have come with all the power from the government to ensure that this land is surveyed,” Ms Amongi, the Lands Minister warned, according to the Sunday Monitor.
On Tuesday the usually laid back Acholi Cultural Institution, Ker Kwaro Acholi fired back at Minister Amongi saying in a statement that it [ Ker Kwaro] Acholi considers Amongi’s utterances as ‘‘Unfortunate, uncivil, reckless and a typical sign of unchartered arrogance.’’ The Ker Kwaro statement was signed by its Premier, Ambrose Olaa.
‘‘We believe the issue[demarcation of Amuru land] should not have reached a level to threaten unleashing violence. We believe opportunities for dialogue were still open afterall the land would still be there.’’
Ker Kwaro Acholi urged Minister Amongi to desist from using threatening words.
The Sunday Monitor story however quotes Amongi as saying the survey will only be carried out on the land of those who have consented to give land for sugarcane growing
“We shall only deal with people who have consented,” Amongi reportedly said during a meeting on Saturday at Amuru sub county. The meeting, according the Sunday Monitor , was attended by outgoing Gulu University Vice Chancellor Prof Nyeko Pen- Mogi, Mr Apollo Kagwa Okello LCV councilor for Amuru who represented the Amuru district Chairman, some cultural leaders, among others. Vocal Kilak South MP did not attend the meeting.
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According to land law – I though survey boundaries are determined by agreement of neighbours.
You know, Museveni has always used Lango to attack Acoli on Land. First it was Omara Atubu now Amongi. Please let there be peace between these neighbours. Museveni’s days has come and will go when the creator deems.
As for the Indian Madhvani (“odini”), what has he done in Busoga for the years he has been there – jiggers. How many Africans has he sponsored for Sugar Cane Engineering – Obote II sent several to Cuba. Why lose my land, make me a labourer on my own land for your profits when I can cultivate my land for my own profits and still own my land. PAPER MONEY IS WORTHLESS – go to Kenya and see what landlessness means.
We know that Uganda went through drought and sugar (from sugar cane) could not quench the hunger in the country. The streams and Rivers will be polluted by the chemicals from the farmland and the factory (google sugarcane factory to see environmental damage).
Remember paper money is worthless – land is for ever. Form Cooperatives.