Gulu Residents Sue NFA over Forceful Eviction

Seven people, residents of Laroo Division in Gulu Municipality have sued National Forest Authority (NFA), challenging their eviction form their land.
The plaintiffs are Martha Aciro, Maurine Adong, Hellen Nyeko, Mark Okello, Mary Aero, Julyeiri Mutto and Simon Gunya.
In a suit filed at Gulu Magistrate's court through the Legal Aid project, the plaintiffs claim that in May, they were wrongfully evicted from their land by NFA and the municipal authorities.
They also allege that the land in question belonged to their deceased father; Filisiano Aboga and his brother Okumu Lagara, who they claim were both buried on the disputed piece of land.
The plaintiffs want court to issue a permanent injunction restraining NFA and their agents from evicting and harassing or in anyway interrupting them from using their land.
They are also seeking compensation for the property lost during the eviction.
The Legal Aid Project senior legal officer, Moses Oyet, who is representing the residents says the complainants are vulnerable and have no source of livelihood..
But NFA's legal department Authority says the land in question is part of Gulu Plantation Central Forest Reserve.
NFA also explains that any eviction carried out was lawful and intended to restore the sanctity of the Central Forest Reserve.
During his maiden tour to the region on Tuesday, the newly inaugurated NFA Executive Director, Damien Akankwasa, said the National Forestry Authority was facing so many legal battles filed by aggrieved parties who claim to have been unlawfully arrested or evicted.
He cautioned the NFA staff to be ethical whenever enforcing the laws governing the institution.