The government plans to compensate the people of Angisa Parish in Katakwi district, to allow for the exploration of oil and gas.  

Angisa parish borders Karamoja and Teso sub-regions and over the 300sq km of land is located in Magoro sub-county. 

Teams from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development will engage the residents of Angisa over compensation, Vice President Jessica Alupo announced on Wednesday, August 30. 

"Cabinet has already taken the decision to compensate the original inhabitants of Angisa,” Alupo said. 

She asked the security chiefs in Katakwi district to ensure that people who collaborate with cattle rustlers to steal from the districts neighbouring Karamoja are dealt with. 

Sidonius Opolot Okaasai, the State Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, said verification of persons entitled compensation has not yet been finalised. 

He noted that the line of oil and gas prospects starts from Mount Kadam in Nakapiripirit district, running to Kween district, Bulambuli district connecting to Kamutur village in Bukedea district, Ongino sub-county in Kumi district, and Angisa in Katakwi district. 

“The government has to draw a budget to compensate the people after fully identifying the original owners of the land and considering environmental factors among others,” Okaasai said. 

He also warned the people of Angisa against selling off their land but instead should be patient until the government compensates them. 

“The government is not certain about the total land in Angisa that it requires to compensate the owners yet,” Okaasai added. 

Francis Aruo, the LC3 chairman of Magoro sub-county in Katakwi district, said Angisa has 10 villages but they have been able to resettle people in three villages which include Angaro, Apopong and Aperitisiru. 

He added that they are now preparing people to leave the area when the government is ready to use the land. 

“There are some intruders who have come in to claim land, that they are the original owners of the land in some parts of Angisa, yet they are not,” Aruo said. 

Kolostika Alungat, one of the original owners of land in Angisa Parish, said they are eagerly waiting to move in a delegation of 100 people to meet President Yoweri Museveni as was recently promised by Alupo, to find modalities of getting paid. 

“The government should only pay people whose national identity cards read Angisa if genuine people are to be compensated,” Alungat emphasised.