Acholibur Cassava Factory Project Gets Land After Dispute Resolution

A protracted land dispute that had put the multibillion-shilling Acholibur Cassava Project in Pader District on hold has seen a crucial breakthrough. Several families involved in the conflict have now agreed to cede 25 acres of land, which will be used for the construction of a much-anticipated cassava starch factory.

This pivotal agreement was facilitated by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) Chief Coordinator, Gen. Salim Saleh, following an appeal from Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama. A meeting, bringing together representatives of the disputing families, local leaders, religious figures, and security officials, was convened to address the land impasse.

According to Prof. Ogenga Otunnu, an advisor to Gen. Saleh, the intervention aimed to de-escalate the land conflict and enable the cassava project to move forward. The Acholibur Cassava initiative, which began in 2017 with the Gulu Archdiocese mobilizing farmers for commercial cassava production, had been significantly hampered by the land ownership disagreements.

Oryem William Lagoro, representing the estate of the late Odwong Lagoro, stated that his family’s decision to provide land stems from their commitment to development. He urged all stakeholders to cooperate to avoid further delays and encouraged farmers to ensure sufficient cassava supply for the factory once operational.

While this 25-acre allocation resolves an immediate hurdle, the broader land dispute encompassing approximately 179 acres remains unsettled. This larger area is claimed by the estates of the late Ignatius Lakere Latigo and the late Odwong Joseph Lagoro, with some families also having settled on parts of the contested land.

Latigo Michael, a retired police officer involved in the dispute, cautioned that the agreement on 25 acres does not signify a complete resolution. He highlighted concerns over a recent survey that he claims did not include all interested parties. Prof. Otunnu acknowledged the need to address the wider dispute to ensure peace for all families, suggesting potential government intervention if a comprehensive settlement isn’t reached.

Pader Resident District Commissioner Amos Asiimwe welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its role in easing local tensions and urging residents to support the project. The resolution of the 25-acre land issue removes a major obstacle, but the path to a full resolution of the remaining land conflict is still being navigated.

Source: Nile Post