The Soroti City clerk Daniel Christopher Kawesi has refused all the allegations slapped on the city officials noting that some of the mistakes on the purported land were made decades back before he was transferred to Soroti City.
One of the plots in contention in Akisim Cell, along the Old Soroti – Mbale road.
Soroti City, a place of shared history and aspirations, now grapples with a growing conflict that threatens to shatter its unity. A rift has emerged between the city’s technical officers and the area’s locals, fueled by allegations of alarming illegal land sales. What was once a harmonious community is now grappling with mistrust, as accusations fly regarding the alleged involvement of city officials in the sale of ancestral land?
The heart of this conflict lies in the sacred connection between the locals and their ancestral lands. Accusations of illegal land sales have ignited a firestorm of mistrust, pitting the city’s technical officers and the Physical Planning department against the area’s natives. The locals passionately assert that city authorities, entrusted with safeguarding public land, have allegedly turned into land salesmen, betraying the trust of the community.
Particularly concerning the claim points to the manipulation of council proceedings. Aggrieved locals allege that technocrats, driven by vested interests, have forged council meeting minutes, complete with impersonated signatures of councilors. This alleged manipulation has allowed the dubious leasing of public lands, casting a shadow of doubt over the very foundation of decision-making.
The deepening surge has ignited the divide between the city’s technical officers and the locals. What was once a collaborative relationship has transformed into a tense confrontation, with accusations of betrayal ringing in the air.
The locals’ distress is palpable, as their very identity and heritage seem to hang in the balance. Advocates for justice have rallied the community, demanding transparent investigations into the alleged land sales and the manipulation of council records. Voices that were once harmonious now resonate with a unified call for accountability and vigorous action by IGG, the lands ministry, Local government and Public service commission.
Top staff from the City Land Board and Physical planning have continued facing attacks in the public platforms including Social media putting them at the apex of purported illegal land sales and Re – leasing of land to tycoons without the knowledge of the public.
Attention is drawn from the plot located opposite the Lions club premises along the Old Mbale – Road, Soroti Municipal Council before it became a city leased it to Mr. Samuel Eneku to establish a washing bay, under the stewardship of the former Town Clerk Mr. Moses Otimong.
The land in question belongs to the community and was earmarked for the establishment of the health center facility, however chaos has erupted after the public recently discovered that the city land board has issued the same piece of land to three other institutions who are both claiming.
The Mayor Soroti City East Paul Omer says that his council has never sat to generate the minutes directing the land board on such allocations.
The institutions claiming land include IGG, DPP, Uganda Human Rights commission, Ministry of Justice and Aids Information Center both government entities.
Paul Omer, the Mayor Soroti City East Division.
“There have been several attempts by the Judiciary to carry out a survey on this land but the community has been chasing them on merit that Mr. Samuel Eneku is the lawful occupant of this land as they issued life threats’ ‘, Omer said.
“It is beating my mind on how and where some of the city officials get the authority to do such dubious things, I have received over ten cases of land conflict between the city officials and the members of the public on the unlawful sale of their land and property belonging to the government. Whenever I try to raise a voice of concern, they turn it into a political matter, those who are beneficiaries start character assassinating my name. I am happy that the members of the public have escalated the matter”, he added.
The plot in contention in Akisim Cell, along the Old Soroti – Mbale road earlier leased to Mr.Samuel Eneku and now given to the Justice Ministry.
The second matter of the same is the Soroti golf cost land which was initially leased to a one David Calvin Ecodu to face lift it unfortunately, the same accused officials have now made a move to re – lease it for the second time, and this is seemingly going unwell with members of the public.
In October 2022, chaos erupted from Arapai Town council, Temele cell, Soroti city West Division, where the public ganged against the officials of the Soroti city land board and the authorities of former Arapai Sub – County for illegally allocating themselves the public land and selling part of it to the well positioned people.
This matter of Arapai land was brought to the attention of the woman member of Parliament Soroti City Joan Alobo Acom who intervened by conducting a dialogue between the fuming public and the members of the city land board lead by their Charman Jorem Opian Obicho.
It was affirmed that the land was invaded, however the resolution was to have it recovered and rightfully used as earlier on handed to government for the construction of a health center facility.
On the same related count, over 120 families neighboring the premises of Teso Corporative Union are bickering with Soroti City Land board after withholding their land titles in claims that their plots are already titled to an Indian man in the names of Chandra. This matter is said to have reached the attention of Land commission and the Local government ministry.
Sources reveal that the officials of former Soroti Municipality connived with the area land committee of the then Amen Parish to illegally sell the land to the Indian Chandra and shared the money amongst themselves.
The accused group allegedly invaded into the land belonging to the Teso Corporative Union formerly known as Arapai ginnery, however the current board of the Union led by the Kasilo County legislator Elijah Okupa, also the chairman of the union claimed back their land after opening the boundaries in the year 22 after noticing that part of their land had been invaded by the same Indian man.
From Soroti at heart:
After the out-cry bust so alarmingly in all corners of the city, Soroti at heart a whistle blower group extended it to the media and this has captured the attention of relevant offices including that of the deputy speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Thomas Tayebwa who made a mention at the plenary.
Mr. Tom Ewoku the chairman Soroti at heart notes that beyond the immediate conflict, the struggle over land touches on the essence of Soroti City’s identity. Land is more than just a resource; it is the foundation of culture, heritage, and belonging. As the community grapples with this conflict, the city’s very soul is at stake.
“The journey towards resolution will be complex and multifaceted. Transparency, accountability, and a commitment to the truth will be key drivers. Open investigations, community engagement, and a sincere willingness to address the concerns of the locals are crucial steps on this path” he said.
Members of Soroti at Heart brainstorming on the modest approach of resolving the conflict at Lions club recently.
From the Soroti city clerk:
The Soroti City clerk Mr. Daniel Christopher Kawesi yesterday evening broke silence over this matter and voiced his response to the patriot’s communications.
He refused all the allegations slapped on the citty officials noting that some of the mistakes on the purported land were made decades back before he was transferred to Soroti City.
“I have not received any formal complaint from any aggrieved person, but I also see some individuals fuming from social media to propagate such rumers”, he said.
“it is true that Soroti city council under former Soroti Municipality leased plot 54 in Akisim along the old Soroti – Mbale road to Mr. Samuel Eneku for a period of 5 years which is now expired. The ministry of Justice and constitutionalism came to us claiming for that land and we had to offer the land”, he said.
Kawesi has encouraged the public to avoid relying on roomers propagated by sponsored or self interest individuals in the community.
“If anyone has a complaint, I implore them to come to my office and report to me the officials who are dining on their land for the law to take it’s course other than turning social media into court”, he added.
The clash between Soroti City’s technical officers and the concerned locals over alleged land sales paints a sobering picture of a community in turmoil. As accusations fly and tensions rise, the city faces a defining moment in its history. Through dialogue, investigation, and a dedication to justice, Soroti can strive to heal the divide and emerge as a stronger, more united community.
Mr. Daniel Christopher Kawesi the Soroti City clerk speaking at the city premises.
From the Chairman Soroti City Land board:
The Chairman Soroti City Land board Mr. Jorem Opian Obicho says has urged the public to be calm as any matters leading to the conflict shall be handled,
He notes that its true that some of the mistakes currently attracting public concern were made way back under the Municipality however he is committed with the members of the board to handle any matter in the interest of the public under the guidance of the Law.
Mr Jorem Opian Obicho, the Chairman Soroti City Land board.
“all of us the members of the board are new in the office and the public is much aware of this, some of this complaints are just coming to our attention verbally however we don’t take them for granted”, he said while speaking to the people of Arapai recently.
