Former IDPs resist eviction by UWA

Feb 16, 2009

THE former Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were resettled in Angisa village in Magoro sub-county, Katakwi district have vowed not to evacuate the land that is being claimed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

By Simon Naulele

THE former Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were resettled in Angisa village in Magoro sub-county, Katakwi district have vowed not to evacuate the land that is being claimed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

This follows a recent standoff between UWA officials and the residents over reports of a plan to relocate them.

Over 563 households of the Itongot clan say they are the rightful owners of the land, which they inherited from their forefathers.

“We were born here. This is our land, which we left temporarily because of insecurity after the Government failed to protect us from the Karimojong cattle rustlers,” said Erisama Angiro.

Angiro said he was 20 years old when Pian Upe, 28 miles away, was gazetted as a game reserve.

“We are not after compensation. If the Government considers animals more important than human beings, then let them be taken to more important places,” said Amelenia Amonot, a resident.

The LC1 chairperson for Angisa, Hassan Okwi, said a reserve was not a priority.

The district vice-chairperson, Margaret Ikuklot, said the move was contradicting the Government’s resettlement plan.

The Katakwi LC5 boss, John Robert Ekongot, said the move would displace 1,000 people.

“We took the state minister for tourism, Serapio Rukundo, to Angisa, but he has never given us feedback. It is time for the people to start clearing land for cultivation. What does he expect us to do?” Ekongot asked.

Residents said the Government was plotting to grab land in the parishes of Alengo, Agereger, Amaido, Amase, Angisa, Okibui and Alereituk.

Mt. Elgon conservation area manager Adonia Bintoora said when Angisa was gazetted by an Act of Parliament in 1964, there were people in the area, but they were allowed to grow only cotton.

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