Tororo community, investors bicker over 1,200 acres

Tororo-based Kayoro sub-county community is up in arms with the Royal city Ministries administrators over ownership of the land formerly belonging to Uganda Trypanosomiasis Research Organisation [UTRO].

The conflict arose after 11 people were on Monday arrested for allegedly trespassing and vandalizing the property of Royal City Ministries which is purported to have been given the land to develop by the Uganda land commission.

Members of the Ikaruwok Isabia clan have stood their ground demanding the return of the clan land that was donated to the Government in the 1950s since it has done the same for the Igoria clan members.

The members pitched camp at Tororo Central Police Station on Tuesday demanding the unconditional release of their relatives, while accusing some villagemates of conspiring with the would-be investors to grab their land.

The Bukedi south acting Police spokesperson, James Mugwe, confirmed the arrest of the 11 members, saying investigations into the matter was still ongoing.

Usher Wilson Owere, the chairman general of the National Organisation of Trade Unions and one of the key partners in Royal city ministries said they followed the right procedure to acquire a 49-year lease of the 1,200 acres of land under contention.

Owere told New Vision Online that they have money to turn the idle land into a satellite city by constructing one of the most vibrant technology universities, a five-star hotel, and a nursing school among others that will create employment opportunities for over 5000 Ugandans.

Owere accused some leaders of leading opposers of development by mobilising the community.

He said they are going to engage all the interested parties so that they can move on the same note.

The development comes days after the National Agriculture Research Organisation handed over 670 acres to Igoria clan in Utro ‘’B’’ village.

The letter was signed by Ambrose Agono, the executive general.

The Government agency clearly highlighted formal withdrawal of interest on the land and vested the rights on the local community that once donated the land to the Government.

Peter Ekikina, the executive director of the Foundation for Open development, one of the concerned parties, has called upon the members to remain calm as they wait for the meeting summoned by the office of the Residence District Commissioner to harmonise the situation.

Ekikina doubted the process of acquiring the land lease saying some public officers holding government offices seem to be operating in a clandestine manner in connivance with the would-be investor.

To address the matter, deputy Resident District Commissioner Albert Amula said a meeting has been summoned to harmonise the situation where every party has been advised to come with their genuine documents showing property ownership.