ALEBTONG – Residents of Aloi sub-county in Alebtong district have offered 46.89 hectares of land to Uganda People’s Défense Forces (UPDF) to establish military barracks.
The residents led by John Odepe handed over the land to State Minister for Defence, Jacob Oboth Oboth on 1st March 2, 2022 in a meeting held at the district council hall.
They urged the government to refund Shs11m they spent in an attempt to pursue the matter before court, establish a primary school, health unit and connect pipe water in the area since it is hard to drill a borehole in the area.
The barracks located near Ogini hill was established in the Obote I regime to train soldiers on heavy weapons such as artillery, mortar, anti tank among others. It was also used by Koreans to train the army.
The district LC5 Chairperson, David Kennedy Odongo said the area has 50 households and there is need for the establishment of secondary and primary schools, a health facility and put special consideration during UPDF recruitments.
“We are requesting you (UPDF) to give us four slots for our qualified young people during the recruitment exercise,” Odongo says.
Minister Oboth Oboth welcomed the development saying, the government will consider the request including meeting the cost incurred by the communities to pursue the matter before court.
Few years ago, the communities in the affected villages dragged UPDF to court claiming the soldiers should be evicted because they have settled in the land illegally.
But in 2017, the former 5th division commander, Brigadier Micheal Kabango held a meeting with the communities, local leaders and MPs who include Samuel Okwir Odwee of Moroto, Denis Hamson Obua of Ajuri and Christine Achen of Alebtong and put the matter to rest.
Odongo also requested the UPDF to consider giving the people income generating activities such as a SACCO, and train them on village saving and loan association to enable them become economically empowered.
He said the level of poverty in the district is so high and there is urgent need to join hands such that the vice is eradicated.
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