Kiryandongo leaders worried as land grabbers target schools

KIRYANDONGO – The increase in the cases of school land being targeted by land grabbers is worrying leaders in Kiryandongo district.

According to Rev. Edward Kiirya, the district education officer Kiryandongo, most of the land belonging to community primary schools has been targeted by land grabbers, hence hindering their development.

“The land is encroached on by land grabbers who act with impunity and selfish interests. I want our leaders right from LC1 to know that a lot of land grabbing is happening in our community schools,” Kiirya said.

He added, “Schools which had big pieces of land no longer have it. The community should wake up and report these cases to higher authorities,” he said while speaking during the second day of the budget conference of Kiryandongo district at the Youth Resource Centre on Thursday.

According to Kiirya some of the schools whose land is encroached on are Bunyama Primary School and Runyanya Primary school, all in Mutunda Sub-county.

“We are now in the process of titling all community school land. We have about 27 community schools. We have so far titled 13 community schools,” said Kiirya.

Martin Jacan Gwokto, the chief administrative officer also confirmed the increased land grabbing tendencies, saying that encroachment is not only on community school land but also other government institutions like health centres and the sub-counties.

“We have put measures to restore the lost land. In the next financial year’s budget, we have earmarked some money to protect government land. The next strategy is going to be fencing of all school land,” he explained.

During the meeting, Edith Aliguma, the LCV chairperson Kiryandongo district urged the communities surrounding government facilities to be vigilant, saying they have a role to play as far as protecting the facilities is concerned.

“The people should also understand that the institutions sitting on this land benefit us all. It is unfortunate to see people grabbing land for selfish gains,” she said.

“I am happy that there are schools which went to court and they have won cases. We need to wake up and protect these pieces of land jealousy,” said Aliguma.

Kiryandongo district resident commissioner, Daniel Muganga warned buyers of land against evicting people without following guidelines. “You have to be careful while buying land. Desist from buying land which is encumbered if you want to be on the safer side,” he advised.

Kiirya challenged the community members with land to surrender it to government for the establishment of educational institutions.

He also noted that Kitwara Seed School, constructed in Kiryandongo Sub-county is awaiting commissioning, adding that plans for the construction of Kigumba Community Seed School were in progress.

https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-mp-implicated-in-land-grabbing-scandal/

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