UGANDA, Lamwo | Real Muloodi News | Allegations of land grabbing and falsification of court documents have emerged in Lamwo District, with residents accusing the Ogik family of orchestrating the illegal eviction of several families from a 6,400-acre parcel of land.
The controversy centres on Ngomoromo Village, Ngomoromo Parish, Lokung Sub County, where Mr Aldo Opira, representing the Pajere clan, recounts a harrowing tale of eviction.
Opira, also the clan’s chairperson, describes how armed UPDF personnel forced his family of nine off their 170-acre land, slashing down their immature food crops and erecting a fence that spans approximately 4km. This forced eviction has left hundreds of people displaced and livelihoods threatened.
In response to the upheaval, Mr. Opira and fellow clan members lodged a petition with Lamwo District authorities, urging intervention to halt the alleged land grabbing and restore peace.
They accuse Kampala-based lawyer Jude Ogik, along with Mr Alfred Okema and Ms Emily Okema, of fabricating ownership claims to the disputed land, leading to the unlawful eviction of residents.
The petition, dated January 13, 2024, implores district authorities to halt all activities on the contested land until a thorough investigation is conducted.
It alleges that the Ogik family has persistently employed security personnel to assert their claim, disregarding court rulings and State House directives to negotiate with affected parties.
The disputed land, home to approximately 13,000 households across 11 clans, has become a battleground for conflicting interests.
Villagers from Ngomoromo, Limur, Okee, Paikongo, and other villages fear eviction as the Ogik family reportedly intensifies efforts to assert control over the contested territory.
Amidst the legal and social turmoil, accusations of document forgery have surfaced. Residents claim that court orders and land titles presented by the Ogik family are fraudulent, and fabricated to justify their claim to the communal land.
An investigation revealed discrepancies in signatures and witness testimonies, casting doubt on the authenticity of the documents.
In response to these allegations, Mr Ogik vehemently denies any wrongdoing, attributing the contested documents to his late mother’s estate.
He refutes claims of forgery and challenges the credibility of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit’s report, alleging bias and manipulation by vested interests.
The Lamwo Deputy RDC, Mr Sabastian Oguti, also faces scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the land dispute.
Accused of favouring the Ogik family and facilitating the deployment of armed forces to safeguard their interests, Oguti’s role in the conflict remains contentious.
As tensions escalate and livelihoods hang in the balance, Lamwo residents await resolution and justice.
Efforts to seek clarification from law enforcement and military authorities are ongoing, with the hope of restoring peace and upholding the rights of affected communities.
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