By Weswa Ronnie
BULAMBULI
Residents of Bulambuli District who were evicted from their land are demanding Mara Agriculture Uganda limited to complete all the compensation amount before evicting them.
The disputed land, covering 9,250 acres on Plot 101, Block 4, at Bunabalayo Village, Bwabwala Parish, Bwikhonge Sub-County, was sold to Mara Agriculture Uganda Limited in 2012.
Conflicts came after Mara Agriculture Uganda Limited sold the same land to Chinese investors last year to start a rice growing project.
However, Peter Wabuteya and Samuel Gidigo all affected residents claim that 25% of the agreed purchase price remains unpaid up today.
They allege that Mara Agriculture Uganda Limited transferred ownership to a Chinese investor without addressing the outstanding balance of 25%.
Locals say the balance was 1,488,000 million shillings adding that out of 9,250 acres they had sold, they need 1,800 acres to be subtracted since they still demand unpaid balances before selling to Chinese.
The residents, carrying placards, on Monday, 13th January, 2025 staged demonstrations accusing NRM Chairperson, Paul Kimamati of betraying them.
They also accused the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Faheera Mpalanyi of aiding their evictions in December last year yet they still demand purchase balances.
RDC Mpalanyi refuted claims of forced evictions, stating that she got information about an agreement between the residents and the Mara Agriculture Uganda Limited.
She noted that Mara Agriculture Uganda Limited paid 100% of the purchase price to locals and that they have evidence.
Kimamati on the other hand blamed locals for trying to use liars saying all the money was given to them by Mara Agriculture Uganda Ltd.
The residents remain dissatisfied, insisting that their concerns over unpaid balances and the alleged unauthorized inclusion of additional acres have not been addressed threatening to seek legal redress if not helped.
