The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 100 residents of Ayivu county in Arua city have clashed with the Maracha county legislator, Denis Oguzu Lee, accusing him of grabbing part of Barifa forest land.
On Tuesday afternoon, angry residents stormed the 10acre piece of land the National Forestry Authority allocated to the legislator in 2019, for the establishment of an eco-tourism center.
In 2019, NFA called interested applicants to apply for land to establish business ventures on part of the forest reserve land, which Anguzu did. However, the allocation of the land to the legislator did not go down well with some Arua city leaders where the forest lies.
They accuse the legislator of working as a front for some big shots in government to grab Barifa land. Oguzu who had gone to supervise mowing of the area was taken by surprise when the angry residents arrived demanding that he leaves the area or dies on the land.
Efforts by Oguzu to explain to the angry mob that he legally acquired the land fueled more anger among the mob members.
Over 30 anti-riot police officers led by Arua District Police Commander, Jude Nasucha, managed to disperse the angry crowd before whisking away Oguzu.
By the time the residents attacked the MP, a team of officials from the National Physical Planning Authority were meeting political and technical officers in Arua city on the deferred establishment of the eco-tourism project.
Barifa forest seats on over 700 hectares of land in Arua city. It was earmarked for degazzettment in 2010 after the then municipal council secured land in Logiri sub county in exchange for the forest land.
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