UPDF gets over 200 acres for Kapelebyong Brigade Headquarters

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KAPELEBYONGO - The Third Infantry Division of Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF) got 204 acres of land from Kapelebyong community for the establishment of a newly created brigade headquarters to boost security, peace and foster development for the people of Kapelebyong district in Teso and Karamoja Subregions.

The development follows several community engagements and meetings amongst the stakeholders in the last months.

The land is located in Aturai village, Okoboi parish, Kapelebyong Sub County in Kapelabyong District.

 The triangular-shaped piece of land is bordered by Apeitolim Sub County to the North East (Napak district), Ongogoja Sub County (Katakwi district) to the South East, Acowa sub-county to the South, Nyakwae Sub County (Abim district ) to the North and  Kapelebyong Sub-county (Kapelebyong District) to the West.

Army, local leaders and community members signing agreements of land. (Credit UPDF)

The Kapelebyong District Chairperson, Francis Akorikin, made the pronouncement of the gift deed at a joint stakeholders' land meeting at Aturai village in Kapelabyong District.

"I hereby announce that the community and customary land owners of Aturai village represented by Mzee Joseph Oumo and George William Moka hand over 204 acres of land to UPDF for the establishment of military brigade headquarters to protect and provide security to the people of Teso, Karamoja and Uganda at large," Akorokin Pronounced.

In a statement released by Maj Isaac Oware, the third Division –UPDF Public Information Officer said that the eleven customary land owners who signed the gift deed document to the government of Uganda (UPDF) offered land free from encumbrances or claims of any kind.

The document also has indicators of technical coordinates and marks.

Akorikin stated that the district earmarked Shs300m to upgrade the road between Amaseniko to Okoboi and brigade headquarters and Shs25m for drilling water sources while the energy Ministry shall extend powerline to Okoboi parish, Omokuri village and the newly established army establishment.

Kapelebyong Community members sign land agreements to allow UPDF to use their land for a brigade establishment. (Credit UPDF)

He said that after six months of engagements and consultations, the district is grateful to the UPDF strategic leadership for considering beefing up security with additional deployments in the Teso Sub-region.

Speaking to the gathering of land owners and committee at Aturai village, Major General Don William Nabasa, Commander of 3rd Infantry Division expressed gratitude to the people of Kapelebyong for the positive development.

 "I thank the people of Kapelebyong and district leadership for demonstrating timely commitment and good gestures by offering free land without any encumbrances," remarked Maj Gen Nabasa.

He assured the people of Kapelebyong that besides guaranteed security, the Usalama One Brigade establishment will come with associated infrastructural facilities and amenities for the provision of some social services for the benefit of the community members.

"Over 80% of the social services like health care,  education and water that comes as a result of infrastructural setup at a new army establishment will be consumed or benefited by community members" Gen Nabasa said.

The Division Commander commended the people of Kapelebyong for being patriotic to hand over land freely to the UPDF which is a positive move that may not be done elsewhere.

Army receiving land agreements from the leadership of Kapelebyong led by LC5 Akorikin Francis and the community. (Credit UPDF)

He implored the people of Kapelebyong district to continue working with the joint security forces in maintaining peace and security in fostering economic growth in the sub-regions.

Tom Olinga Otukol, the Kapelebyong Resident District Commissioner (RDC) g thanked the land owners and committee for remaining steadfast in the processes of land handover to UPDF.

Otukol stressed that the Government of Uganda remains committed and steadfast to fulfilling the 2021 manifesto as it secures the future of its citizens.

The exercise was attended and witnessed by Brigadier General Wilberforce Sserunkuma, the Deputy Commander of the Third Infantry Division, District political leadership, Land technical officials and  Olaboro John Robert, Cabinet member and Security Mobilizer for Teso Cultural Union among others.