Members of Parliament (MPs) from Hoima have called upon the Minister for Presidency, Ms Milly Babalanda, to capture the president’s attention on the land question in the Bunyoro Region.
They also said complaints against the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) soldiers over alleged harassment, too, need much attention and investigations.
The legislators said the two challenges are crippling socio-economic development and all government efforts to alleviate poverty as long as the situation is not arrested timely.
Mr Pius Wakabi , the Bugahya County MP, said he has recorded many cases where innocent people have been rendered landless and lost livelihoods.
“Land is being grabbed by ‘mafias’ especially in my constituency. It is a big problem here,” he said.
The law maker proposed affirmative action to be taken to ensure land security which may include issuance of free land titles in his constituency as an important tool to save the poor communities from evictions.
Ms Harriet Busiinge, the district Woman MP, emphasised the issue of harassment by security agents implementing the operation to eradicate illegal fishing on Lake Albert.
She requested the ministry for presidency to influence the executive orders to help strike the balance between the operation against illegal fishing and the rights of people who depend on the lake for food and income.
They were speaking at the belated International Women’s Day celebration for Hoima district.
In her response, Ms Babalanda pledged to forward the highlighted issues to the highest level.
As the Chief Guest, she called for vigilance on border security to prevent the experience of Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese which was attacked by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists.
