By Patriot Corps
David Calvin Echodu, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate for Soroti City West, has finally addressed the longstanding allegations of land grabbing that have circulated in Soroti City. These accusations, particularly concerning prime land in the city, are viewed by many as politically motivated attacks ahead of the 2026 elections.
At the heart of the controversy are key pieces of land on Serere Road, Elliot Road, and Kennedy Square. The legal battles surrounding these plots, listed under LRV 4013, Folio 19 (Plots 5-13 on Serere Road), LRV 3948, Folio 15 (Plot 8 on Elliot Road), and LRV 3948, Folio 12 (Plots 10-12 on Kennedy Square), have raised questions about the legitimacy of Echodu’s involvement.
Speaking to the residents of Agule Cell in Soroti City West, Echodu clarified that the land acquisitions were conducted legally and in full adherence to the necessary procedures. He emphasized that the land in Dakabela, which has also been part of the dispute, was lawfully obtained through a lease he applied for in 2003 and officially secured in 2007 under the leadership of Hon. Ochola Stephen, the current LC5 Chairperson of Serere District.
He stated that as the head of Pilgrim, they had a project to establish a modern wildlife center and university in Teso. When they engaged with the Soroti District local government on how to acquire land for that project, they were offered Dakabela Energo land.
“The Dakabela land was idle and under Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC),” Echodu explained. “I applied for the lease in 2003 and was officially granted the land in 2007 after paying the required premium of more than 100 million shillings for 373 acres, which at that time could have bought the whole village. The process was fully legal.”
Echodu revealed that the land was not titled, and when the district approached UBC during the titling process, UBC objected, stating that the district did not have the authority to sell their land. The district was then stuck, even though they had used the money paid by Pilgrim to purchase a land cruiser for the LCV, pay debts for Arapai Subcounty, and fund other development projects in the district.
Echodu noted that he is still owed 333 acres of land by the district and remarked that if he had intended to acquire land through dishonest means, the premium he paid could have easily bought him an entire village.
“If I had ill intentions, the money I paid for the lease could have purchased an entire village based on the market value, but that land could not be found anywhere in Teso. I followed all the necessary steps, and I stand by that,” he asserted.
The allegations escalated further when the Registered Trustees of Soroti Golf Club filed a court injunction to stop development on the Soroti Golf Course land, claiming that Echodu and others were infringing on public property. The case is ongoing, but Echodu remains confident that the legal process will prove his innocence.
He dismissed the accusations as politically motivated attempts to undermine his campaign, stating, “This is purely a political tool. They came late and found that I had already secured the lease, and now they want me out so they can grab the land themselves. These people are behaving like boys in a village who admire a beautiful girl but can’t approach her to ask for love. When a stranger comes and asks for the girl’s hand in marriage and pays the dowry, they start complaining that you have grabbed the girl. These are sore losers that should be exposed for what they truly are. Because of the protracted fights over the land, my friend took the project to Namibia, which now has a modern wildlife center attracting millions of tourists annually.”
Supporting Echodu’s claims, Peter Edeku Edopu, a candidate for Dakabela County MP, warned the community against the “pull him down” syndrome, which he believes has hindered development in the Teso region. “We should always support our own who want to bring development instead of standing in their own way,” he urged.
As the legal battle unfolds, Echodu remains focused on his developmental agenda for Soroti City, urging voters to reject political propaganda and instead support leaders with a proven record of promoting progress and development. His message is clear: the land was legally leased, and he is committed to the growth of Soroti City. The court’s decision is eagerly awaited as the community watches how the accusations unfold.
Source. Teso news network
