UWA displaces 500 in Katakwi
UWA public relations officer Simplicious Gessa, denied any wrongdoing saying they simply evicted few families that had encroached on the game reserve land boundary. Courtesy photo
KATAKWI. Uganda Wildlife (UWA) officials have displaced more than 500 people in Katakwi District who are said to have encroached on a gazzeted land.
About 57 families are affected and UWA says they encroached on the land located on Pian Upe Game Reserve.
The land in contention measuring about 300sq km stretches from the border between Karamoja and Teso sub-regions.
Mr John Francis Emuron, the chairperson Katakwi Resettlement Committee, confirmed to Daily Monitor that people are now stranded following the destruction of their houses and food.
This happened last Sunday at Angaro village in Magoro Sub-county in Katakwi District. He said people are now living in fear and uncertain of what to do next.
“The UWA officials destroyed 57 homes. The rains are now destroying food stuffs left in the open and people are still living in fear in case the UWA officials re-surface” Mr Omuron said adding that they are seeking assistance from the ministry of Disaster Preparedness to avail them with taplins for drying food.
According to Mr Omuron, this is the second destruction in the area within a week after Angisa Community Primary School with two classes was pulled down by UWA officials last week on allegation that it was built in a disputed game reserve.
He, however, said they are planning to lead a strong delegation of elders from Katakwi to meet the Minister of Tourism.
With the recent action, Mr Omuron explained that UWA is claiming a big chunk of land covering eight electoral villages in Angisa parish that include; Angisa village, Alengo, Angaro, Atirai, Agereger, Abobore, Amaido and Apeitolim living the people with only two villages of Apopong and Aper-isiru.
The Katakwi Resident District Commissioner, Mr Filbert Ocailap, in a phone interview at the weekend, described the incident as “very unfortunate”.
He said he had already reached out to Mbale authorities and heading to UWA offices to demand for the original map of the place.
He explained that they had meetings with UWA staff as Katakwi District leadership and they agreed that UWA produces a parliamentary minute that recommended the gazetting of this controversial land so that it is shown to the local community of Magoro Sub County so as to avoid conflicts.
Meanwhile, Mr John Peter Erimu, the NRM national vice chairman for Elders in Eastern region, told Daily Monitor on Tuesday that his office has also written a letter to the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees asking for relief food for the affected people.
Mr Erimu, however, blames UWA staff for extending the original boundary between Karamoja and Teso established during the colonial British rule.
However, UWA public relations officer Simplicious Gessa, denied any wrongdoing saying they simply evicted few families that had encroached on the game reserve land boundary.
