Let’s save Murchison Falls - Acholi chief

The paramount chief of Acholi, Mr David Onen Acana II, has tasked his subjects to rally behind opponents protesting the giveaway of Murchison Falls National Park for the construction of a hydro-power dam.

Murchison Falls stretches from Kiryandongo District via Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to Nwoya District in Acholi.

Chief Acana II said the planned giveaway of Murchison Falls will greatly impact on the tourism sector in Acholi Sub-region and appealed to government to revisit its decision.

“We have heard that government wants to build a hydropower plant at the falls. As Acana, I know you as Acholi also reject it, so I declare that we all are opposed to the plan,” Mr Acana said.

The chief made the remarks at the closure of the 3rd Edition of the Acholi Cultural Festival in Kitgum District at Kitgum Public playground under the theme “My heritage, My strength” at the weekend.

“We should get together, join other activists and say no to the giveaway. In Acholi here, we have a strong attachment to the falls,’’ he added.

Early this year, Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) published a notice indicating that it had received an application from Bonang Power and Energy (Pty) Limited for the construction of a power dam in Murchison Falls.

“ERA has under Section 29 of the Electricity Act 1999 received a notice of intended application of a licence from Bonang Power and Energy Limited for the generation and sale of electricity from a hydropower plant proposed to be established near Murchison Falls in Kiryandongo and Nwoya districts,” read the notice.

However, several argue that the construction of a power dam at Murchison Falls will destabilise the ecosystem and the cultural heritage.

The festival
The festival that lasted three days, ended on Saturday. It attracted more than 50 dancing groups from the entire Acholi and South Sudanese refugees from Palabek Refugee settlement camp in Lamwo District.