Denis Ocaya, the Agonga Parish Councilor in Gulu City where the deceased hailed from told URN on Thursday that the matter was brought to their attention by two casual laborers who escaped from the farm.
Local leaders in Acholi are demanding investigations into the allegations of child labor and maltreatment on commercial farms in Pader district. They claim that there are reported cases of gross
human rights abuses, such as torture, enslavement, child labor, and abuse of
opium at a commercial farm known as ‘’B13’’ in Angagura Sub County.
The concern stems from the death of Thomas Openytoo Ismail, a casual worker on the farm who was
employed to harvest soybean. He was allegedly beaten and left
for dead. Openytoo, 20, who died last week was a resident
of Agonga Parish in Gulu City West division in Gulu City. His body had deep wounds on the head, chest, and leg.
He was recruited to work on the farm on January 18th, 2023 alongside fourteen others with promises of receiving Shillings 70,000 for each acre of soybean uprooted, something which was never
fulfilled.
Denis Ocaya, the Agonga Parish Councilor in Gulu City where the deceased hailed from told URN on Thursday that the
matter was brought to their attention by two casual
laborers who escaped from the farm.
Ocaya explained that the escapees told them that hundreds of laborers at the farm are subjected to harsh conditions, fed
inadequately, lack good shelter, they are forced to smoke marijuana, given no medical
attention, and underpaid.
Betty Aol Ocan, the Gulu City Woman Member of
Parliament, said that the matter has been reported to police at the Aswa River
Region for further investigations. She disclosed that the escapees from the farm
revealed that a number of teenagers are recruited as casual laborers.
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in: ‘’you must first…
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out: …brought back dead.’’//
Aol says that a thorough investigation should be
conducted by the police and relevant stakeholders so that the matter is
addressed and the underage laborers are rescued.
Dickson Ojok, the Angagura Sub
County LC V councilor, says that the area leaders have also instituted an investigation into
the matter because they are not aware of the ownership of the commercial farms.
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in: ‘’macalo luteal wamoko…
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out: …waraga bot anga.’’//
David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa River
Region Police Spokesperson told our reporter that he was yet to find out about
the matter. There are a number of farms in Aswa Ranch.
Emmy Daniel Ojara
Freelancer