NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni dribbles a ball he got as gift from his supporters during a rally at Booma ground Hoima Municipality yesterday. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME
Hoima- The NRM presidential candidate, Yoweri Museveni, has promised to offer legal aid to the poor who are victims of illegal evictions in the oil-rich areas of western region.
While addressing a campaign rally at Kiziranfumbi Secondary School playground in Hoima District yesterday, Mr Museveni said he has been informed that people in the area are trapped in land wrangles.
He summoned the Hoima Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to explain what types of wrangles are disturbing the people. RDC Ambrose Mwesigye said there have been land evictions in the district as a result of court orders which have often favoured the rich against the poor.
President Museveni directed the RDC to liaise with his office, saying: “I have lawyers in my office. Inform them and they will brief me. I will send lawyers to defend those who cannot defend themselves.”
Mr Museveni said he has already defended Bibanja owners in Buganda from illegal evictions and promised to do the same in all areas in the country where the poor are being threatened to leave their land.
The oil-rich Bunyoro sub-region is a hotbed of land and ethnic conflicts. In Buhaguzi County where he addressed a rally, hundreds of families have been evicted from land in Rwamutonga village in Bugambe Sub-county where a US firm wanted to set up an oil waste treatment facility.
More people were evicted in Kigyayo village in Kiziranfumbi Sub-county where Hoima Sugar Company has set up a sugar cane plantation and factory. There have also been evictions in Bukinda village in Kyangwali sub-county, in the hinterland of Kingfisher oil field. However, Mr Museveni did not talk of the oil revenue, something that residents had looked forward to.
Bunyoro Kingdom has been demanding for increased share on oil royalties and affirmative action for the people in the region to get jobs, business opportunities and training in petroleum disciplines.
Buhaguzi County where Mr Museveni held a rally has Kingfisher oil field. Government granted an oil production license to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Uganda Ltd start commercial oil production from the oil field.
The county has various landing sites on Lake Albert. Mr Museveni said the fisheries enforcement officials whom he stopped at the start of his campaign, will not resume their operations even after elections.
He asked elders to advise government on how best the lake can be preserved. Mr Museveni said government had handled the demand for the elevation of Buhaguzi County into district status. The President said the district has been granted but he did not state when it will become operational. In December 2010, Hoima District Council passed a resolution accepting the creation of Kikuube District that would be comprised of Buhaguzi County.
The western Uganda NRM vice chairman, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, asked the President for an ambulance for Kikuube Health Centre IV. He said many expectant mothers were dying in villages after failing to get transport to access maternity services.
fmugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment