UGANDA, Agago | Real Muloodi News | The Ministry of Lands has intervened to halt a land transaction involving Terra Agri Solutions Ltd, which sought to secure approximately nine square miles (5,750 acres) of land in Agago District for agricultural purposes.
Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba issued a directive on January 4 2024 to suspend the process amidst concerns of potential land grabbing raised by locals.
Reports indicated that the investor and their team were not engaging with the rightful landowners and clan leaders in the area.
“My Ministry has ordered the investor to cease operations temporarily and allow the Ministry of Lands, in collaboration with district local governments, to identify the rightful landowners, conduct surveys, and register their land,” stated Minister Nabakooba.
She underscored the government’s commitment to the initiative, stating, “We aim to complete this process within two months, and the ministry team will resume engagement with the respective sub-counties. It’s crucial that we seize this opportunity.”
In October of the previous year, President Museveni convened a meeting with representatives from Terra Agri Solutions Ltd, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and clan leaders from Lapono, Omiya Pacwa, and Orom.
However, representatives from Agago District disavowed the landowners’ representatives present at the meeting.
The proposed project by the investor seeks to lease customary land for commercial agriculture as part of the Parish to Market socio-economic transformation initiative in the Acholi Sub-region. This initiative is set to impact several sub-counties, including Lapono, Omiya-pace, Orom, Paimol, and Lira-kato.
It’s reported that 46 clans expressed interest in leasing land to the investor under the Parish to Market Model, a program inaugurated by President Museveni in February 2023 in Gulu City.
However, Leonard Opio, the chairman of Agago District, emphasised the need for a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Lands to verify the claims regarding land ownership and the involvement of the investor.
“The land issue is causing significant tension and could lead to insecurity if not properly addressed. Those offering land are being targeted for attacks,” remarked Opio.
During a ceremony held at Kalongo Town Council on January 4, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo cautioned against facilitating any irregularities in the land acquisition process.
“I want to caution you; there are issues here, and people mistakenly associate them with the notion that people in Acholi do not want development. There is no bigger fallacy than the claim that people here oppose development. But after being deceived once, they become wary,” stated Chief Justice Dollo.
In a parallel development, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has undertaken a customary land registration initiative in Agago District.
A total of 1,017 Customary Certificates of Ownership have been issued to families and clans in the region.
The certificates were distributed to individuals, families, and two clans, Karuge Katugu and Lwara Kare, in Wol and Paimol Subcounties. This initiative stems from a pilot project launched by the government in 2020 under the DINU Land component with financial support from the EU and the United National Capital Development Fund, UNCDF.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Kalongo Grounds in Kalongo Town Council, Minister Judith Nabakooba highlighted the importance of customary land registration in resolving land conflicts and promoting productivity.
“The issuance of customary land certificates aims to provide legal documentation to customary landowners, including individuals, families, and clans, thus ensuring peace and productivity,” stated Minister Nabakooba.
She further disclosed that the government plans to continue registering more clans to acquire customary land certificates with support from the European Union and the World Bank. The ministry aims to register 275,000 customary landowners throughout the country by 2026.
The initiative has received positive feedback from beneficiaries such as Charles Banya and Ultimo Oyet, who emphasised the significance of land certificates in safeguarding their land rights and preventing future disputes.
Denis Obbo, the Commissioner at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, cautioned land title holders against using their certificates as collateral for loans they may struggle to repay.
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