Mao warns locals over land for sugar project

DP president Norbert Mao addresses residents in Gulu Town last week. PHOTO BY CISSY MAKUMBI

What you need to know:

Amuru Sugar Factory project has stalled since 2009 when it was mooted after local leaders demanded negotiations with the land owners.

Gulu- Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao has warned residents of Amuru District against negotiating with the government out of fear over the proposed Amuru Sugar Works Project.

Government is seeking to give at least 40, 000 hectares of land to Madhvani Group of Companies for sugar plantation under the project.

The project has stalled since 2009 when it was mooted after local leaders demanded negotiations with the land owners.

President Museveni has since directed the Attorney General to resolve the controversy to allow the sugarcane planting to start.

Speaking at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Town last week, Mr Mao warned locals in the target area in Banda, Kololo and Lakang, not to enter into a deal with the government out of fear.

The MP for Kilak County in Amuru District, Mr Gilbert Olanya, said the government should withdraw the matter from court as a condition for the negotiations to take place.

The sugarcane project has stalled since leaders and locals in Amuru demanded that the government enter into negotiation with the land owners.

President Museveni, who visited the area in April 2011, accused individuals whom he did not name of behaving as if Uganda is the only country to invest in.
He said the country would be forced in future to import sugar.

In February 2012, Gulu High Court presided over by Justice William Masalu Musene ruled that the land in question is a public land, which paves way for the government to give the land to Madhvani for the project.

However, the government has opted to enter negotiations with the land occupants.