UGANDA, Tororo | Real Muloodi News | A land dispute between Tororo District locals and Ms Sylvia Owori Damalie, the Director of Operations for Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), popularly known as the fashion queen, has drawn the attention of members of the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure.
The locals of Nyakesi “E” Village, Iyokango Parish, Nyangole Sub-county in Tororo District and Ms Owori are at odds over ownership of a 90-acre plot of property.
According to Ms Owori, her late father George William Owori and his late father Otweyo Kagoyi both owned the parcel of land in question.
After the affected villagers petitioned Parliament through their district’s female member of parliament, Sarah Achieng Opendi, the committee members conducted a weekend visit to the region.
The committee’s chairman, Mr David Karubanga, cautioned the authorities against harassing the locals while advising the affected individuals to maintain their composure while they awaited the outcome of the investigation.
“I have tasked the area leaders to encourage their locals to remain law-abiding as we investigate this matter,” he said.
Locals warned the MPs that they had reportedly been harassed by armed persons wearing army and police uniforms.
Mr Aggrey Obonyo, one of the elders, said: “We have been living peacefully until recently in 2020 when Ms Owori in the company of some armed personnel together with surveyors were seen walking around pieces of land taking pictures.”
Another affected resident, Mr Patrick Otedo, stated that he inherited the land from his family.
“With connivance with the Area Land Committee, Ms Owor forged documents to apply for the registration of the land in contention,” he said.
Ms Opendi stated that her office has received multiple reports of residents being mistreated.
“There are allegations that Ms Owori has been using soldiers to beat up people as well as use the name of Gen Salim Saleh to intimidate local authorities but this must stop,” she said.
Mr Gerald Rwemulikya, the Ntoroko County MP, advised Ms Owori not to exploit security officers and urged her to maintain good relations with her neighbours.
“The Constitution is clear that land belongs to the people and stresses that once a person has lived in a piece of land for more than 10 years then that person qualifies to be a bonafide occupant of that land,” he said.
Ms Owori, on the other hand, denied deploying armed troops to assault citizens.
She confessed to having bodyguards whose main responsibility was to keep her safe.
“I don’t recall any day that my body guards have beaten any body in this village and if so, why haven’t they reported to police? ” she said.
Ms Sabano Samali Epiat, secretary of the District Land Board, stated that the district has suspended Ms Owori’s land registration application after receiving a petition to revoke the process.
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