Lango Web

By Ronald Odongo in Lira, 3 June 2009

Minister Omara Atubo, State House official Sunday Opio and local leader Paul Ojok inspect the land

(Photo: Ronald Odongo)

Residents of Barlegi in Okwang sub county Lira district have given over 600 acres of land to government for national development, a move that has left top critics tight lipped.

President Museveni got settled at Barlegi trading centre in 2004 to enabling him closely monitor UPDF operation against LRA rebels who had established their base in the area.

A team from state house led by Sandy Opio and Capt. Tom Balyejisawo ministry of defense surveyor are in Barlegi inspecting and officially receive the lands.

Opio assured locals that they would fully be compensated by the government.

Capt Tom Balyejisawo said they are going to critically verify the lands before compensating the owners.

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Paul Ojok, the affected communities? chairperson requested the government to take the little piece of lands which they have offered for national development and compensate them.

?In spite of widespread propaganda that Museveni wanted to grab the lands, the communities have willingly offered the lands?, Ojok said.

Ojok in his letter to Museveni apologized for having been misled by some politicians to deny president land for security purposes.

Lands minister, Hon Daniel Omara Atubo urged the people of Otuke to always support government programmes and avoid involving politics.

He said NRM is the first government to allow communities to own land legally saying that nobody was allowed to own land constitutionally during both British and Obote?s two regimes.

Atubo hit back at bankrupt politicians who want to rule the country again to stop spreading their propaganda to Otuke people.

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