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Politicking Won't Help Acholi

New Vision (Kampala)
OPINION
November 21, 2006
Posted to the web November 22, 2006

By Richard Todwong
Kampala
I am disappointed with my good friend and brother, Hon. Odonga Otto, and Hon.
Okello Okello for not understanding land issues in Acholi adequately. Comrades,
you all know the benefit of investment to an area both in terms of job creation
and economic growth.
I would like to imagine that your warning was geared toward shoddy investors;
those who grab land by force or those who come to settle other than invest.
There are mainly three types of land ownership in Acholi:
The communally owned land where the powers are in the hands of clan leaders.
Private land (free hold). Erinayo Oryema's family has such land at Anaka; Mzee
Andrew Adimola at Laminlato; Mzee Justin Okot at Alero; the late Eliza Latim at
Latoro and many others. MPs have no say on this land. The private owners can
sell as and when they wish.
Central Government reserves. For example, game reserves; the forest reserves
and the government ranches. These are controlled by the Uganda Land Commission.
MPs should instead concentrate on helping the population, especially those with
communal land, to acquire certificates of ownership. so that have better
security of tenure.
The primary responsibility of leaders is to educate and mobilise the masses for
development. However, mobilising people to 'spear to death' investors who
venture into Acholi is not the kind that will develop Acholi. What is needed is
mobilisation for increased production, higher incomes, creation of jobs and the
general welfare of the population in Acholi which has suffered for long.
Hon. Otto, I know you bought a piece of land in Pader town and you are busy
putting up a hotel there. How would you have taken it if the owner of that land
had rejected you? You are one of the biggest investors in Pader District. This
s because you that investors are good for Acholi.
The entire Rackoko Sub-county in Aruu, your constituency, depends on a charity
organisation run by Mzee Odida through the Australian Foundation. How many of
your voters are accessing schools, hospitals, clean water and electricity
because of this investor?
You and I went to Bishop Negri Primary School and other missionary schools. All
these schools are built on land. Where would we have got education if our
forefathers had refused to sell the land to missionaries, or if they fought
them with spears as you are advocating?
My brother Otto, investment takes place on land. If you want to develop your
constituency, stop intimidating your voters. You represent their interests and
these interested cannot be promoted through blocking opportunities. How should
Wakiso District treat you in your beautiful house in Kyadondo South? You have
invested in Buganda. Are you a Muganda?
Please, no investor can match to Acholi to grab land or acquire land for
investment without paying for it. The Chairman of Gulu District Land Board,
Charles Alai, is a member of your political party (FDC). All the district
chairpersons in Acholi are not members of the ruling NRM. All MPs from Acholi,
except Hilary Onek, don't belong to NRM. Therefore government cannot grab land
in Acholi without these local leaders who belong to the opposition raising a
finger.
I wish you could visit the Rwot of Acholi to learn the challenges the Kingdom
is facing over land.
The writer is the special presidential advisor on Northern Uganda


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