By Morish Dramadri

Arua

Leaders in Terego district have raised concerns over the recent household census mapping conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics in the disputed zones under rhino camp refugee settlement claimed by the two districts of Madi Okollo and Terego following the placement of the entire Rhino camp refugee settlement in Madi Okollo district.

On 30^th January 2024, the ministry of lands, housing and urban development wrote to the office of the prime minister copying a letter from the LC5 chairman Terego district proposing the status quo and location of the villages in the respective districts be maintained in the 2024 refugee census mapping to avoid unnecessary confusion.

In his letter copied to Hon. Obiga Mario Kania as the area member of parliament, the chairman LC5 Terego district explains that, 5 refugee zones of Omugo, Ofua, Siripi, Ocea and Odobu are in the sub counties of Omugo, Uriama and Odupi in Terego district, and 2 of the refugee zones of Tika and Eden are in Rigbo sub county Madi Okollo district.

According to the letter, “Rhino Camp Refugee settlement” is a genetic name adopted in 1991 to cover the whole refugee area, in Rigbo, Odupi and Uriama sub counties.

Hon. Wilfred Saka the Terego district chairman maintained that population of Terego must remain in Terego in the coming census. “The people of Terego have better things to do than just this mere border thing. If they want to go for double counting let them go but the population of Terego must remain the population of Terego and we will superintend with the process with all the eyes open,” Saka upheld.  

Meanwhile Hon. Ronald Afidra Olema the lower Madi County Member of Parliament affirmed that the zones in question are in Madi Okollo and cautioned people against inciting violence. “It is clear Terego remained in Cinyaa. Places like Yelulu, Miriaba, Katiku, Yoro, Ocea, Odobu, Wanyenge, Eden, all these are known in Madi Okollo land. I want to urge the perpetrators of the letter and those who think the letter should have any change in the upcoming population census that please let us not promote insurgency in our community,” Afidra cautioned.

 
 Hon. Ronald Afidra Olema, Lower Madi county MP

But Hon. Obiga Mario Kania, the state minister for lands housing and urban development, also the Terego East Member of Parliament confirms receiving this letter.
“I was copied this letter by the LC5 chairman, there is no area in Uganda which is not within the administrative boundary as defined in Uganda, all the lands in Uganda within the boundaries of Uganda fall in a village, parish and sub county. Some parts of the villages in Ocea are in Madi Okollo district,” Minister Kania confirmed.

The conflict between the two local government units which has lasted for years, led to blood sheds and loss of lives within the disputed areas since late 1990s.

COVER PHOTO: File photo of state minister of lands Housing and Urban development and Terego East county M.P Hon. Obiga Mario Kania. By Morish Dramadri