Amos Turyashaba, the Commissioner of Prisons Farm told URN during an interview that at least three landmines and anti-tank mines have been discovered in the area triggering fear, anxiety, and panic among the workers.
The discovery of Unexploded Ordnance-UXOs and explosives has caused panic leading to delays in the opening up of the prison
farm in Pader district. Uganda Prison Services seeks to open 38,000 acres of land in Ajan Village in Laguti Sub County for planting cereals to boost food security in the country
and develop a modern agricultural farm.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animals Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) handed over part of the land belonging to Aswa ranch to Uganda prisons in August this year. Uganda Prisons started opening the land in October but the project has since stalled due to
the discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXOs), which are believed
to have been abandoned by the rebel Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA).
Amos Turyashaba, the Commissioner of Prisons Farm told URN
during an interview that at least three landmines and anti-tank mines have
been discovered in the area triggering fear, anxiety, and panic among the
workers. He explains that following the discoveries a team
of land mine sweepers and scanners from the Uganda People`s Defence Forces
(UPDF) were deployed and have now camped in the area to help overcome the
challenges before the work can commence.
//Cue in: ‘’Tthis farm here…
Cue out: …the unexploded ordnance.’’//
Margaret Orik Obonyo, the Tactical Officer of Uganda Prisons
Farm noted that the deployment of bomb experts is to provide safety to the
officers on the ground and the neighboring communities.
//Cue in: ‘’When we discovered…
Cue out: …the community members.’’//
She noted that upon resumption, planting crops on at least
10,000 acres of the farm will be done in March next year. According to reports from the Aswa River Police Region more
than 600 explosives have been discovered and destroyed in the Acholi sub-region
by the army since 2010.
Emmy Daniel Ojara
Freelancer