Lira youth protest over illegal sale of public land

By Admin.

A group of youth took to the streets in Lira city on Monday afternoon protesting what they called the fraudulent sale of public land.

The youth carrying placards were led by Lira City female workers representative, Sarah Awor Angweri.

‘Save us from fraudulent officers, investigate Patrick Ogweng, the city deputy-clerk among others were the writings on the placards.

Police moved in and arrested the demonstrators but released them on bond and are to reappear before the OC CID on August 16, 2021.

George Mawa, the former mayoral candidate, and Isaac Ogwal Ogwang stood surety for Angweri. The case of illegal demonstration is registered under L/GEF 33/2021

The youth calling themselves concerned citizens of Lira City also penned a petition to the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda.

The petition is also addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Minister of Land Housing and Urban Development, and State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

In the petition, a copy seen by New Vision, the youth want the offices to “institute an investigation on the unlawful act and fraudulent sale of various land within Lira city and Lira district.”

They stated that they are acting as whistleblowers because the public is concerned about the fraudulent sale of public land which has become rampant in Lira.

They requested that the fraudulent officers must be brought to book and the land illegally sold out be recovered.

Some of the lands the concerned youth alleged to have been illegally allocated to developers includes:

1. Abattoir Land, located along Kitgum Road.
2. Mayors Garden, the southern end behind shell fuel station Lira approximately 20 m by 80 m.
3. Lira Tipa stage or Numa show ground behind total fuel station Lira where plots 16 to 18 have been allegedly sold off to one businessman.
4. Ireda estate government land in Ireda (several plots illegally sold off).
5. Erute Land (several plots illegally sold off).
6. Triangle square adjusted to mayors’ garden from the northern part
7. Lira town college land approximately 504 square meters
8. Plot 42 church road where galilee pharmacy is located
9. The land near Lira Military barracks
10. Land in the wetland where fuel station is being constructed along Kitgum road near Beb wine factory.

The concerned youths requested the investigators to look to the following offices to help with investigations: Office of the deputy city clerk, office of the city physical planner, and environmental office, Lira City.

Lira district and city have been in the spotlight for the illegal and or fraudulent sale of public land where most of the public land has reportedly been sold.

The sale of land is said to be connivance between civil servants and politicians in collusion with land brokers.

Some months ago, the Chief Administrative Officer of Lira sent on forced leave four senior officials in connection with the illegal sale of plot 41, Church Road, and other public lands.

The CAO, Ben Ogwete Otim, also wrote to the police to investigate several illegal land transactions, but the report is long overdue.

Sources say the accused persons together with the illegal land buyers are moving around to ensure that the police report does not come out.

Another source says the illegal land buyers most of the prominent businessmen in Lira City also supported politicians in the last elections to meet their ill motives.