re: Complex land issues in Acholi

28th September, 2007

The Madhvani Group
Kakira Sugar Works
P.O.Box 54
Jinja


THE PROPOSED AMURU SUGAR COMPLEX

1. On 26th July, 2007, you invited members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) and conducted them on a tour of Kakira Sugar Works (KSW). The tour was preceded by a power-point presentation of the above proposed sugar project. We would like to reiterate our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Madhvani Group for showing interest in carrying out massive investment in Acholi Sub-region and for inviting us to tour KSW.


2. At the end of the tour you released to APG hard-copies of the power-point presentation of the proposed project for our study and response. Of necessity, the response had to take a bit of time to come, because the consultation had to be as wide and intensive as possible. The people of Acholi at home, in other parts of the country and in the diaspora had to be consulted. They are all stakeholders in the land in Acholi sub-region. We regret any inconveniences caused by the delay to respond to your proposal.



3. We are, however, pleased that we are now in a position to respond. On 10th December, 2006, APG made a statement to the Parliament of Uganda on Acholi land issues. This statement was made after an extensive tour of the Acholi Sub-region in November and early part of December, 2006 by APG to get the views of our people on the land question. See copy of that statement attached.


4. The Madhvani Group built a primary school at Pece in Gulu District in the 1960s. You are currently investing in Paraa Saroba Hotel and Chobe Lodge. Your investment in Acholi sub-region is, therefore, not something new. The people of Acholi do appreciate it.



5. Coming to your proposal specifically, we wish to state the position arrived at after consultation as follows:

(a) Land Ownership and Land Acquisition

From the power-point presentation and our meeting with you, the impression given is that the proposed project land is not owned by anybody. However, there is no free land in Acholi, because the land is communally owned. It is not clear from the project proposal how you intend to acquire the land.

(b) Size of the Proposed Project Land (40,000 ha.)

Those consulted unanimously disapproved of the amount of land proposed for the project-i.e 40,000 ha. Given the fast-growing population of Acholi Sub-region and the technological advancement, it is not appropriate to set aside this large chunk of land for one project.

(c) Benefit to the Community

Acholi Sub-region, after being engulfed in war for the last twenty(20) years, now puts human development as its first priority. The war has destroyed literally everything in the sub-region. The only asset left for the people of Acholi is the land. Therefore, any proposed investment in land should benefit the people directly. The only way the land owners can benefit from such a project is to go into partnership with the investor, where land will be used as equity.


6. It is clear there is now a scramble for land in Amuru. Unfortunately, this is taking place when the people of Acholi, the land owners, are still interred in squalid IDP camps. We advise that large investments in rural land should wait until our people are back home and peacefully settled on their land.


7. It is speculated that Amuru district generally, and the proposed project area in particular, has minerals, including oil. It would be better to establish the mineral/oil status of Amuru first before major investment decisions were made.


8. As of now, the game park has denied our people access to the Nile for a long stretch. It is, therefore, imperative that the remaining stretch along Amuru District should remain free for our people to access and benefit from the River Nile.


For God And My Country



Hon. Okello-Okello M.P.
For And On Behalf of Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG)

Distributions:
H.E. David Onen Acana- Lawi Rwodi of Acholi
All Chairpersons LC V- Acholi Sub-region
All District Council Speakers- Acholi Sub-region
The Mayor Gulu Municipal Council
All LC III Chairpersons- Acholi Sub-region