Banyoro worried over land grabbing
May 04, 2009
LOCAL leaders in Bunyoro are worried about the alleged involvement of government officials in grabbing land in the oil-rich Albertine region. The leaders, through Hoima resident district commissioner Martha Asiimwe, asked state minister for minerals Peter
By Pascal Kwesiga
LOCAL leaders in Bunyoro are worried about the alleged involvement of government officials in grabbing land in the oil-rich Albertine region. The leaders, through Hoima resident district commissioner Martha Asiimwe, asked state minister for minerals Peter Lokeris and the permanent secretary, Fred Kabagambe Kalisa, to explain the reports on Thursday.
The officials, who were attending an oil and gas workshop at the Riviera Hotel in Hoima, were also tasked to explain Bunyoro’s share of the oil exploration in Bulisa and Hoima district.
“Banyoro want to know their share of the oil and why they are being denied access to the drilling areas. Is there anything we are hiding?†Asiimwe asked.
Tom Kyahurwenda, the MP for Buhaguzi in Hoima, accused the district leaders of conniving with government officials to grab land near the oil wells in the Albertine region.
Kyahurwenda said the acquisition of land threatened the wildlife in the game reserves like Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.
“I know of many Banyankole who have acquired land in oil-rich areas and have already processed titles. They are giving land to foreigners instead of giving it to the Banyoro,†he said.
However, Kabagambe dismissed the allegations that government officials were acquiring land on the shores of Lake Albert.
He said the national oil and gas policy barred anybody from acquiring land in the Albertine region.
“The President has written to the district leaders stopping them from giving land rights in the Albertine area. You should blame your leaders and yourselves for this,†Kabagambe said.
Lokeris blamed the Uganda Land Commission and the district land board for allowing foreigners to acquire land in the region.
“These people are going through the commission and land boards to acquire land and process titles quickly.
“We are going to resolve this problem. And if it means cancelling these titles, we shall cancel them,†Lokeris said.
On Bunyoro’s demand for a share of oil revenue, Kabagambe advised the Banyoro to ask the Government to grant them a regional tier in order to get revenue from the oil.
LOCAL leaders in Bunyoro are worried about the alleged involvement of government officials in grabbing land in the oil-rich Albertine region. The leaders, through Hoima resident district commissioner Martha Asiimwe, asked state minister for minerals Peter Lokeris and the permanent secretary, Fred Kabagambe Kalisa, to explain the reports on Thursday.
The officials, who were attending an oil and gas workshop at the Riviera Hotel in Hoima, were also tasked to explain Bunyoro’s share of the oil exploration in Bulisa and Hoima district.
“Banyoro want to know their share of the oil and why they are being denied access to the drilling areas. Is there anything we are hiding?†Asiimwe asked.
Tom Kyahurwenda, the MP for Buhaguzi in Hoima, accused the district leaders of conniving with government officials to grab land near the oil wells in the Albertine region.
Kyahurwenda said the acquisition of land threatened the wildlife in the game reserves like Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.
“I know of many Banyankole who have acquired land in oil-rich areas and have already processed titles. They are giving land to foreigners instead of giving it to the Banyoro,†he said.
However, Kabagambe dismissed the allegations that government officials were acquiring land on the shores of Lake Albert.
He said the national oil and gas policy barred anybody from acquiring land in the Albertine region.
“The President has written to the district leaders stopping them from giving land rights in the Albertine area. You should blame your leaders and yourselves for this,†Kabagambe said.
Lokeris blamed the Uganda Land Commission and the district land board for allowing foreigners to acquire land in the region.
“These people are going through the commission and land boards to acquire land and process titles quickly.
“We are going to resolve this problem. And if it means cancelling these titles, we shall cancel them,†Lokeris said.
On Bunyoro’s demand for a share of oil revenue, Kabagambe advised the Banyoro to ask the Government to grant them a regional tier in order to get revenue from the oil.