Sudan claims Uganda land
Oct 25, 2007
SUDAN is claiming a portion of Uganda as part of its territory, the National Resistance Movement Caucus heard yesterday.
By Mary Karugaba
and Milton Olupot
SUDAN is claiming a portion of Uganda as part of its territory, the National Resistance Movement Caucus heard yesterday.
In a presentation to the closed caucus meeting, which discusses land matters, the Principal Staff Surveyor, Dr. Yafesi Okia, said there were varying definitions of the Uganda-Sudan border and its demarcation would involve a lot of money. “A meeting at political level (on the issue) is yet to be initiated,†the report said. “A provisional budget for the border demarcation has been worked out for planning purposes.â€
A source at the meeting said President Yoweri Museveni had ordered the Lands ministry to demarcate Uganda’s international boundaries following the recent border conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly over the disputed Rukwanzi Island where oil exploration is going on.
“There is need to survey all land in the country and money shouldn’t be a problem,†a source quoted Museveni as saying.
On the Congo border, Dr. Okia briefed the caucus that technical experts would soon be leaving for Brussels and London to study the colonial maps. He also said the terms of reference for the experts would be communicated to Kinshasa by December 15.
Apart from international boundaries, district boundaries also needed to be demarcated, Dr. Okia observed. He cited disagreements among the local people, political interference, financial constraints and manpower limitations as challenges to the internal border demarcation.
The Government would not compulsorily acquire land for investors, the President was quoted as saying. Instead, it would buy land from the people and put the necessary infrastructure to attract investors.
and Milton Olupot
SUDAN is claiming a portion of Uganda as part of its territory, the National Resistance Movement Caucus heard yesterday.
In a presentation to the closed caucus meeting, which discusses land matters, the Principal Staff Surveyor, Dr. Yafesi Okia, said there were varying definitions of the Uganda-Sudan border and its demarcation would involve a lot of money. “A meeting at political level (on the issue) is yet to be initiated,†the report said. “A provisional budget for the border demarcation has been worked out for planning purposes.â€
A source at the meeting said President Yoweri Museveni had ordered the Lands ministry to demarcate Uganda’s international boundaries following the recent border conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly over the disputed Rukwanzi Island where oil exploration is going on.
“There is need to survey all land in the country and money shouldn’t be a problem,†a source quoted Museveni as saying.
On the Congo border, Dr. Okia briefed the caucus that technical experts would soon be leaving for Brussels and London to study the colonial maps. He also said the terms of reference for the experts would be communicated to Kinshasa by December 15.
Apart from international boundaries, district boundaries also needed to be demarcated, Dr. Okia observed. He cited disagreements among the local people, political interference, financial constraints and manpower limitations as challenges to the internal border demarcation.
The Government would not compulsorily acquire land for investors, the President was quoted as saying. Instead, it would buy land from the people and put the necessary infrastructure to attract investors.