ADJUMANI -Members of the community living in Apaa area in Adjumani have accused the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] and other security agencies of conniving with some people to encroach on East Madi Wildlife Reserve.
The concerns were raised during a recent community dialogue organised by the cultural leaders of Madi aimed at restoring peace in the area that has been experiencing land conflict for 12 years.
Sam Chandiga, the prime minister of the Pajau Clan who chaired the meeting recently noted that community members are not happy that a fuel petrol station owned by Stabex International, a mast, and a human settlement have been established in East Madi Wildlife Reserve.
“In our previous dialogue of October 12, 2022, we noted the unfairness of UWA and Uganda People’s Defence Force [UPDF] whereby they have allowed people to build a petrol station and human settlement in the East Madi Wildlife Reserve, as well as land grabbing,” Chandiga said.
However, while responding to the accusations, Ali Bhakit, the warden in charge of East Madi Wildlife Reserve said he had obtained the coordinates of the said fuel station and the mast alleged to have been established in the Apaa township protected area.
“When I arrived here, I visited the area where the petrol station and the mast are built and captured its coordinates, which I am submitting to our database for confirmation if they are within East Madi Wildlife Reserve. If it is true, then action will be taken,” he said.
Barkit also responded to the community’s claim of degazettement of part of the East Madi Wildlife Reserve by UWA, saying they has never done so nor does it intend to do that.
However, he said there is increased encroachment into the protected areas which he said is illegal, according to UWA Act.
He said Adjumani district local government in 2002, earmarked land measuring 1,702 square kilometers [sq.kms] to be used by the community as a hunting area while the district allocated UWA 827sq.kms, noting that this has not changed.
Lt Col. Robert Mugabe Koch of 503 Brigade denied the allegations that the UPDF is siding and protecting some encroachers in the protected area.
“We are for Uganda and all people. We are here for the community and all Ugandans. Give me one name of a UPDF officer who is serving the interest of some a specific community or individual,” Koch said.
Last year Ms. Marian Mbabazi, the fuel station manager, said the facility was built in six months and that necessary documents had been given to them by the government.
She, however, declined to give more details as she had been cautioned by her bosses not to speak to the media and other entities over the matter.
Ignatius Dragudu the police community liaison officer for the North West Nile region promised to investigate the allegations against the police, adding he will soon organise meetings where police officers will engage members of the community about the importance of protected areas.
“We want you people to stay in peace and stop encroaching into the protected areas, for long this area has been experiencing conflicts since the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency [LRA],” Dragudu said.
https://thecooperator.news/acholi-youth-ask-museveni-to-intervene-in-apaa-land-dispute/
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