The Kapelabyong community donated 204 acres of land to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (3 Infantry Division) for the construction of brigade headquarters.
The army headquarters is expected to improve security, peace, and development for the people of Kapelabyong district in the Teso and Karamoja subregion.
The development comes after a series of community engagements and stakeholder meetings over the last few months.
The land is located in Aturai village, Okoboi parish, Kapelabyong sub-county, Kapelebyong district. The triangular-shaped piece of land is bordered by Apeitolim sub-county (Napak district) to the northeast, Ongogoja sub-county (Katakwi district) to the southeast, Acowa sub-county to the south, Nyakwae sub-county (Abim district) to the north, and Kapelabyong sub-county (Kapelebyong district) to the west.
Akorokin Francis, the Kapelabyong district LC5, announced “the gift deed” at a joint stakeholders’ land meeting in Aturai village.
“I hereby announce that the community and customary land owners of Aturai village represented by Mzee Oumo Joseph and Moka George William hand over 204 acres of land to UPDF for the establishment of military brigade headquarters to protect and provide security to the people of Teso, Karamoja and Uganda at large,” Akorokin pronounced.
The eleven customary land owners who signed the gift deed document to the Ugandan government (UPDF) offered land free of all encumbrances and claims. The document also includes indicators for technical coordinates and marks.
According to the LC5 boss, the district has allocated shs300 million to upgrade the road from Amaseniko to Okoboi and the brigade headquarters, as well as shs25 million to drill water sources. The Ministry of Energy will extend the power line to Okoboi parish, Omokuri village, and the new army establishment.
He stated that following six months of engagements and consultations, the district is grateful to the UPDF strategic leadership for considering increasing security with additional deployments in the Teso sub-region.
Speaking to the crowd in Aturai village, Major General Don William Nabasa, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, thanked the people of Kapelebyong for their positive development.
“I thank the people of Kapelebyong and district leadership for demonstrating timely commitment and good gestures by offering free land without any encumbrances,” said Maj Gen Nabasa.
He assured the people of Kapelebyong that, in addition to guaranteed security, the Usalama one brigade establishment would include associated infrastructure and amenities for the provision of social services to community members.
“Over 80% of the social services like health care, education and water that comes as a result of infrastructural setup at a new army establishment will be consumed or benefited by community members,” Gen Nabasa said.
The Division Commander praised the people of Kapelebyong for their patriotism in freely handing over land to the UPDF, which is a positive step that may not be taken elsewhere.
He urged the people of Kapelebyong to continue collaborating with the joint security forces to maintain peace and security while promoting economic growth in the sub-region.
Olinga Tom Otukoli, Kapelabyong’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), thanked the landowners and committee for their patience during the land handover process to the UPDF.
He emphasised that the Ugandan government remains committed to implementing the 2021 manifesto as it secures the future of its citizens.
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