Bahima stuck in Lango

Jul 04, 2006

ABOUT 200 Bahima herdsmen who were expelled from Akokoro and Ibuje sub-counties in Apac district with 10,000 head of cattle, have refused to vacate. <br>They insist that their money must be refunded before they leave.

By Patrick Okino

ABOUT 200 Bahima herdsmen who were expelled from Akokoro and Ibuje sub-counties in Apac district with 10,000 head of cattle, have refused to vacate.
They insist that their money must be refunded before they leave.

It was alleged that landowners in Akokoro and Ibuje received money from the pastoralists to permit them to graze on the land. Addressing journalists recently in Apac town, LC5 councillor for Akokoro Charles Ogang said, “I have received conflicting information that the pastoralists have refused to leave the area.”

The herdsmen recently migrated from Masindi district in search for water and pasture for their animals, but Ogang said their animals were destroying crops.

The authorities also accused the herdsmen of occupying the land illegally, degrading it through overgrazing and causing deforestation by indiscriminately cutting down trees for charcoal.

This prompted district authorities to call a meeting chaired by Apac LC5 chairman Charles Okello Engola, at Awila trading centre in Akokoro. It was attended by over 500 elders including area (Maruzi) MP David Ebong Abongo.

They gave the Bahima five days to vacate, which expired on Thursday but Ogang said if they wanted to stay on, they should follow the right channels.

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