Locals demand compensation for refugee land

Lamwo. The landlords who offered land for settling 41,000 refugees in the three settlement centres of Palabek Gem, Palabek Ogili and Palabek- Kal are demanding compensation.
The landlords offered land for the construction of temporary homes, schools, health units, among others.
Mr Francis Kitara, one of the landlords in an interview with the Daily Monitor yesterday, said their demand for compensation is justified since the land might not be returned even after the refugees have left for their home country.
“Even if refugees are there or not be returned to the owners. For instance, roads have been opened up and schools and health centres. How do you claim back such land?” Mr Kitara said.
Mr Christopher Omal, the Palabek-ogili LC3 chairman, said some farm lands were destroyed for the establishment of the settlements and it was only fair that people are compensated.
“UNHCR and OPM should be considerate. It is unfortunate that they have not been listening to us who deal with the people directly at the grassroot level,” Mr Omal said.
But some district officials and those in the Office of the Prime Minister have said those demanding for compensation will not be paid any money since their demands are outside their earlier agreement to treat the donated land as free offer.
They however said the land would be returned after the refugees have left.
Speaking to Daily Monitor on Wednesday, the LC5 chairperson, Mr John Komakech Ogwok, said the landlords should forget about any compensation because it was not part of the earlier agreement with OPM as they handed over their land.
In the memorandum of understanding for land donation signed by the landlords, responsibilities of each party and the terms and conditions under which the land was acquired, the compensation did not appear anywhere, Mr Komakech said.
He says recently US$200,000 (about Shs700million) that was given by UNHCR to the district as part of the partnership agreement was also mistaken for compensation funds.
“We used that money to purchase 25 pairs of oxen that was distributed to those landowners whose crop gardens were destroyed. But many mistook it as compensation,” he added.
When contacted, Mr Julius Kamuza, the commandant of Lamwo Refugee settlement camp, said no land owner would be compensated.