Masindi Registering Refugees
Jun 22, 2003
MASINDI district is registering immigrants from other districts, the chairman, John Majara, recently said.
MASINDI district is registering immigrants from other districts, the chairman, John Majara, recently said.
Charles Odongtho writes that this follows reports of ethnic tension mounting in the district over land between the indigenous Bagungu and other ethnic groups in the area like the Alur, Lendu, Lugbara and Kebu from West Nile and parts of Congo.
A Local Council official in Nyamukuta village, Biiso sub-county, said the most tension was in Bullisa.
“Some of the Bagungu do not want us in their area. They say we are taking away their land,†the LC official, who is an Alur, said.
He said some of them have lived in the district for over 30 years and acquired property, including land.
However, chairman John Majara said there is no tension in the district. He said they are registering foreigners who have come in from other areas as refugees.
“I am aware of some foreigners, mostly Lendu from Congo, who have been encroaching on land in areas like Biiso. Non Ugandans don’t have any right over land and we are registering the illegal immigrants in an organised manner.
“Land is becoming an issue all over the country and the district is taking steps to solve the problem, he said.â€
Majara said some of the Congolese do not want to be registered.
He said they were being persuaded to do so for social services to be planned for them.
Ends
Charles Odongtho writes that this follows reports of ethnic tension mounting in the district over land between the indigenous Bagungu and other ethnic groups in the area like the Alur, Lendu, Lugbara and Kebu from West Nile and parts of Congo.
A Local Council official in Nyamukuta village, Biiso sub-county, said the most tension was in Bullisa.
“Some of the Bagungu do not want us in their area. They say we are taking away their land,†the LC official, who is an Alur, said.
He said some of them have lived in the district for over 30 years and acquired property, including land.
However, chairman John Majara said there is no tension in the district. He said they are registering foreigners who have come in from other areas as refugees.
“I am aware of some foreigners, mostly Lendu from Congo, who have been encroaching on land in areas like Biiso. Non Ugandans don’t have any right over land and we are registering the illegal immigrants in an organised manner.
“Land is becoming an issue all over the country and the district is taking steps to solve the problem, he said.â€
Majara said some of the Congolese do not want to be registered.
He said they were being persuaded to do so for social services to be planned for them.
Ends