Misinformation threatens Shs 30bln irrigation project in Amuru
AMURU-Locals of Ayila village, Guru guru Sub-county in Amuru district are skeptical about embracing an irrigation project proposed to be established in their area due to misinformation
The Ayila irrigation project estimated to cost Shs 30 billion is a government of Uganda project through the Ministry of Agriculture under the Agricultural Cluster Development Project [ACDP]. The irrigation project was approved by Parliament in the 2018/19 financial year.
During a sensitisation meeting held on Monday this week, the locals who will be affected by the project demanded for a memorandum of understanding between the community and government as an assurance that the irrigation scheme will not be used as a scapegoat to take away their land.
The demands follow a prior community meeting held in late July 2022 after the engineers concerned with the project reportedly went to visit the proposed project area without informing political and community leaders.
Santa Akello, a resident of Ayila village said government needs to give assurance that the community where the project is to be established will still have powers to control the land.
Ray Okwera, the LCI Chairperson of Ayila village blamed the technical and political leaders in the district for their failure to inform the land owners and the community members about the planned project.
Okwera said he only got to know about the plan to establish the irrigation scheme in his area through a village mate.
“What is causing a lot of concern is that the community members are seeing someone who is not in the leadership structure at the forefront of a project which has not been well understood,” Okwera said.
Joseph Kabong, the LCI Chairperson of Ogali Village said several community members have expressed their fears regarding the safety of their land.
When contacted by this reporter, Julius Otim, the Agricultural Officer for Amuru, Guru guru and Layima Sub Counties said the members of the community have not been sensitised because the planned government investment is still under design.
Otim said the irrigation scheme is planned to take a total land area of six acres for the establishment of water tanks and other related water systems like pipes.
“Many people are thinking the scheme will take a huge chunk of land. Government will only use six acres,” he said, adding that people will remain with their land.
Michael Lakony, the LCV Chairperson Amuru district said the project if completed, will boost production and improve livelihoods since farmers practice farming all year.
Lakony blamed political leaders, saying their misinformation is threatening the project he said is aimed at fighting poverty.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner urged political leaders to support the project aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers that need water for agriculture all the year.
He said he would continue to engage the actual land owners who will be affected by the irrigation scheme so that they don’t rely on the misinformation that is aimed at derailing the planned irrigation project.
“You never know, maybe those who are rejecting the project are not even within the project area and are being used by some politicians. As leaders we can’t allow such sentiments to prevail,” Odong said.
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