UGANDA, Amuru | Real Muloodi News | Amuru District authorities have called for a new border opening of land owned by Atiak Sugar Works Ltd following increased incidents of land wrangling with the community.
The Atiak sugar factory which is owned by Amina Hersi Moghe is based on 27,000 acres of land in Atiak Sub-County and was leased to Horyal Investment Ltd by the Omaya family.
Mr Akera Samuel, the Atiak Sub-County chairperson, stated on Tuesday last week that the community has been living in terror that the factory’s development push may encroach on their land in the future.
“People do not know where the factory land ends and that is what is causing a lot of fear in the community, but the same factory is accused of encroaching on the community estates,” Mr Akera explained.
“Sale of land has become so rampant among communities neighbouring the factory. Some people are selling their land because they assume it might belong to the factory,” he added.
The district chairperson, Mr Michael Lakony, also stated that opening up the borders will eliminate any concern about land grabs.
“We want this done so that no one is affected, our people now depend on land alone to survive,” Mr Lakony said.
However, Mr Stephen Odong Latek, the resident district commissioner, says they are waiting for the court to rule on the matter before they can implement any orders.
“The matter is in the High Court in Gulu; once the case is concluded, we will come in to enforce or implement the orders of the court,” Mr Odong said.
Mr Peter Okee Ogik and Mr Bosco Opio Ogik, members of the family whose land Atiak Sugar Factory is located, sued Horyal Investment Ltd at Gulu High, charging the latter with trespass and invasion.
The couple also sued the Commissioner of Land Registration, along with Mr Okot Akena Ogik, Mr Emmanuel Ogik, Mr Michael Onono, and Ms Lucy Aketto Ogik, in the August 15 lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, Mr Okee and Opio accused their stepbrothers Okot Akena, Onono, and Ogik, as well as their stepsister Ms Aketto, of conspiracy and inappropriately leasing out the family land to Horyal Investments Holding Company Limited without their approval.
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