Some residents of Apaa village, Tirikwa sub-county in Adjumani district have described as “too low” all government offers to resettle them after forceful eviction.
Government, through Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) agreed to compensate each of the family evicted with Uganda shillings 10 million, 20 iron sheets and 20 bags of cements.
Denis Komakech, a resident of the said area and a victim, on Wednesday during an interview with our reporter said: “I’m not ready to take any offer of shillings 10 million from government as part of compensation for the contested land.”
“As a resident of former area who was evicted, I and other victims only demand that government degazzette that land for our settlement,” he added.
Odoki Sylvesta, one of the local leaders in the contested area accused government of faking the population of Apaa.
Mr Odoki claims that government is increasing population of the area, and faking reports.
The local leader says the area has only 374 families, not more than that.
Adding, “its not true Apaa has a population of over 20,000 with over 5000 households.”
He also accused the security organs currently residing in Apaa and who have been registering people for compensations.
“These people have been brutally and violently threatening people to register by force,” he claims.
However, government late last month allocated 10 million shillings, 20 iron sheets, 20 bags of cement as packages – some have got their packages.