Last Updated on: 15th September 2021, 08:19 am
Soroti: Achuna locals protest over health centre relocation
By Robert Edwomu
Soroti 15, September 2021: Angry residents of Achuna parish, Soroti district Tuesday morning stormed Achuna trading center protesting the relocation of a health center III initially meant to be constructed in Achuna.
The protesters were expressing their anger following the district Council resolution that amended the sub county councils motion to relocate the said health centre from Achuna to Aparisa.
Scovia Irongu, one of the protesters say some of their children were arrested Monday night and up to now (Tuesday) they have not been released. She said the protest was a process of expressing their dissatisfaction.
Agnes Akello, another protestor narrates that she has ever lost her child on her way to the distant hospital but now when they had hopes of getting health services closer, another disappointment ensued.
She notes that even after leasing land for the development the leaders could still not appreciate their efforts.
Robert Egabu, the sub county councilor for Achuna parish said Tuesday “the protestors have been burning motor tyres and mounting road blocks along the roads in Achuna trading center since morning”.
Egabu reveals that the LCs have boycotted their duties and refused to register people to benefit from the beans which is pending.
Last week on Thursday, Soroti district local government council sat and adopted the Tubur sub-county resolutions and changed the proposed site for construction of Achuna health center III from Achuna to Aparisa parish.
The decision was sought to be the lasting solution to the UGX465 million health facility. Its bidding process to get the construction start is ongoing.
The council successfully moved a motion and adopted the changes irrespective of the petition by the local council one chairpersons (LC1s) giving it one-week ultimatum.
The Resident District Commissioner Soroti district Patrick Okumu moved with police to restore the situation.