In a bid to fight land grabbing and rampant evictions, Government has directed the Resident District Commissioners to compile record of all the land acquired within their areas on monthly basis.
The latest directive by Hon. Minister Nabakooba, is for all the RDCs to compile a monthly report detailing land acquired on a large scale in their areas of jurisdiction.
“I re-emphasise the Directive of HE President Museveni against land evictions. RDCs are critical in this directive. They Chair the District Security Committees,” Minister Nabakooba said.
According to Minister Nabakooba, RDCs must be ‘on top’ of their games and must ensure strict monitoring of all the hotspots and update her office immediately.
She insists that this is the only way rampant but unjust eviction can be reduced.
President Museveni last week halted all the evictions within the country and ordered all District Security Committees to ensure strict monitoring.
“No eviction should be allowed to take place in a district without (1) the District Security Committee, chaired by the RDCs, meeting, looking, and consulting directly the Minister of Lands,” President ordered.
President further requested His Lordship, the Chief Justice to prevail on Magistrates and Judges from violating the Constitution by illegally evicting people in collusion with land grabbers.
In his directive, President also ordered Lands Minister, Nabakooba to brief the Attorney General about such abuses by the judicial officers, so that legal action can be taken on them.
Some of the notable land evictions that led to clashes and destruction of property include the Apaa land conflict in Amuru District which has lasted for years. The dispute has remained unresolved to date.
In Otuke District, a government proposal to establish the livestock multiplication Centre on Alir Land has remained futile curtsey of land dispute between the community and government.
In Lira District, over 100 households were some years back evicted from the controversial Aler land owned by the district. To date, the land has remained redundant and not occupied despite the district attempt to donate it for the establishment of Industrial park by government.
In Apac, an estimated 50 households have remained homeless after they were evicted from Maruzi ranch.
The 56-square mile ranch, which covers two sub-counties of Ibuje and Akokoro, has been at the centre of conflict between the locals and government for the last six years. The government is taking steps to solve all land related issues.
