Residents from the 11 villages covering the ranch in Ibuje and Akokoro Sub Counties were directed to vacate the land to pave ways for the project. The government subsequently deployed the Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF soldiers to carry the eviction of the residents occupying the land.
Local leaders of Acamcabu and other villages neighbouring Maruzi Ranch during a recent meeting with Dr Kenneth Omonna, Northern Uganda State Minister (Credit Solomon Okabo)
Residents of Acamcabu Village, Ayeolyec Parish, Akokoro Sub County, Apac District, who were affected by the Maruzi ranch eviction, are still demanding compensation for about six years.
In 2018 government leased out 54 square kilometers part of Maruzi ranch land previously known as Atera ranch to Hill Side Agricultural Limited for palm oil production.
Residents from the 11 villages covering the ranch in Ibuje and Akokoro Sub Counties were directed to vacate the land to pave the way for the project. The government subsequently deployed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces- UPDF soldiers to carry out the eviction of the residents occupying the land.
More than 270 households from Acamcabu village who resisted the eviction are now demanding over 3 billion shillings from the government to reallocate them from the government ranch.
Bosco Wach, one of the affected residents, says the delay in compensating the affected persons has caused untold suffering, and some locals have died on the ranch. He said they were ordered not to renovate or build new houses on the land, asking for immediate intervention from the government.
//Cue in: “Abedo coyo wariga …
Cue out: … ame odong kuno.”//
Translation:
“We have petitioned the Office of the President and the Prime Minister several times, requesting their intervention in vain. Since 2018, were have not been cultivating, our children are not going to school, we are not allowed to build houses, and we have no hospital. I am requesting that we be compensated so that we can leave the ranch”
Another resident Lillian Aciro argued that they cannot vacate the land where they had occupied for over 40 years without being compensated. She explained that they occupied the ranch when it collapsed in the early 1980’s due to the insurgencies and now they have nowhere to go.
Felix Odongo Ococ, Akokoro Sub County LCIII Chairman, urged the government to consider giving the 10 square mile part of Maruzi ranch to the community as indicated in the Memorandum of Understanding for giving out the ranch land to the Hillside Agricultural Investment Limited.
//Cue in: “The reasons why …
Cue out: … to the community.”//
Dr Kenneth Omonna, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda pledged to follow up on the matter. Omonna in his recent visit to Maruzi ranch, said government is aware of the concerns and plans are underway to expedite the reallocation of the stranded 272 households.
Solomon Okabo
Freelancer