By Henry Okello
TORORO
Tororo District LCV Chairperson, Hon. John Okea, has strongly dismissed reports that the district leadership plans to grab land belonging to the Tororo District Agriculture Training Institute, DATIC, calling the claims “false and baseless.”
Speaking during a press conference at the district headquarters on Tuesday morning, 5th May, 2026, Okea moved to calm growing public anxiety ahead of the district’s final council session scheduled for Wednesday, (today, 6th May, 2026.)
“Let me be clear: there is no plan, and there has never been a plan, to grab DATIC land,” Okea told journalists. “Those rumours are false. I have checked the order paper for tomorrow’s council meeting at the District Council Chambers, and no such item appears anywhere.”
The DATIC land, a prime government facility located along Malaba Road, has been the subject of speculation in recent days, with residents fearing it could be allocated for other uses.
“I want to assure the people of Tororo that while I am still district chairperson, no one will tamper with DATIC land or any other government land,” he said. “That land is for agriculture training and it will remain so.”
Instead of grabbing land, Okea said his administration has been allocating district land to support key government services. He cited the recent handover of land in Nyangole to Tororo Municipal Council for the construction of a health facility.
He also revealed that another piece of district land has been earmarked for a new High Court building near the regional police headquarters, a move aimed at improving access to justice in the region.
However, the LCV Chairperson admitted he is facing mounting pressure from several government offices seeking land for development.
“My office has received requests from the RDC, DISO, and the Inspectorate of Government, all asking for land to construct their offices,” Okea disclosed. “We shall handle these requests transparently through council.”
Wednesday’s council session is expected to be the last for the current political term, and Okea’s clarification appears aimed at shutting down misinformation before the meeting.
Residents and DATIC staff who had expressed concern over the rumours welcomed the chairperson’s statement, saying it restores confidence in the district leadership.
