Speaking to his supporters in Padibe Town Council, Amuriat, said land has long been a problem in Acholi, arguing that the current regime has done less to guarantee it’s safety for the locals. Amuriat said once in office, he will extend the land rights to locals and empower them with the land laws.
Amuriat addressing his supporters in Lamwo
The Forum for Democratic Change-FDC presidential candidate
Patrick, Oboi Amuriat has rallied the people of Acholi to support his
candidature with promises of protecting their land once elected into office.
Amuriat
successful conducted his campaigns in Lokung and Padibe town councils in Lamwo
district on Tuesday, hours after running battles with the police in Kitgum Municipality. His schedule collided with National Resistance Movement-NRM presidential
candidate, Yoweri Tibuhabura Museveni.
Speaking to his supporters in Padibe
Town Council, Amuriat, said land has long been a problem in Acholi, arguing
that the current regime has done less to guarantee it’s safety for the locals. Amuriat said once in office, he will extend the land rights to locals and
empower them with the land laws.
“FDC will extend land rights to the locals in
such a way that the local person is secure in as far as land ownership is
concerned" Amuriat told his supporters. Amuriat cited the current land related issues the region is facing in Aswa
ranch in Angagura sub-county in Pader district and Apaa land being contested
between Adjumani and Amuru districts.
He alleged that president, Yoweri Museveni has deliberately not solved the land
contention because a group of people close to him are benefiting from it. Land
ownership in Acholi is largely customary. The region has seen a fair share of land related conflicts
in the past.
Amuriat also hinted on education and health in, which he said his
government will make education more affordable and qualitative for both the
rich and poor community. On corruption, Amuriat said his government will cut on unnecessary
administrative expenditures by government officials on travels abroad, adding
that the recovered money will be ploughed back into improving education and
health.
“Today I’m sounding a warning to every corrupt person in this Country that my
government will have zero tolerance to corruption,” said Amuriat. Lamwo
District Chairperson, John Komakech Ogwok, who is contesting for the Lamwo county
MP seat wooed the locals to support Amuriat for a steady fight of land issues.
Michael Otto, a resident of Padibe town council says he is convinced that a new
the government will help to address the challenges of Acholi people on land related
matters.
“If we see closely, the current government worked well in the beginning but
lost track along the way because of greedy individuals who were no longer
promoting the agenda of the government but themselves. I believe a new leader
will address the current problems,” He told URN in an interview.
Marriam Adong, another resident of Padibe Town council says the health sector
is no longer performing well and wondered if a new leader will be able to
uplift it.
“In our area, women have a problem of accessing a hospital, the
whole district has no hospital and only relies on Padibe Health Center IV,
which lacks adequate services. For proper delivery one has to spend a lot of
money traveling,” She said.
Amuriat wound up his campaigns in Pajimo Parish in Labongo Akwang subcounty
were he also rallied locals to support the Chua West Legislator, Philip Polly
Okin Ojara, who is seeking a second term of office.