NEW ARUA DISTRICT CHAIRMAN DELAYS MOVE TO ODUMI OVER LEGAL DISPUTES
By Onzoma Albert
Arua City
The newly sworn-in Arua District Chairman, Hon Cosmas Ayikobua, has stated that he will not immediately relocate to the recently newly constructed district headquarters in Odumi, Vurra Town Council.
His decision stems from ongoing challenges related to the move, including boundary disputes, unresolved court cases, and incomplete infrastructure at the new site, which currently lacks essential offices and amenities needed for effective operation.
Although the Ministry of Local Government officially launched the construction, the site remains underdeveloped, complicating a smooth transition.
During the swearing-in ceremony at the current district hall in Arua city, Ayikobua emphasized the need for proper planning and cautioned against hurried decisions, urging councilors to be thoughtful and critical in their deliberations.
“As the district chairman as of now we don’t have clear relocation plans at hand. No one is going to push us and the district leadership to rush and settle at Odumi, unless you the councilors have a clear road map what we relocation plan. I am going sit here for a time as we develop the relocation plan with you and the technical people,” he emphasized.
The site at Odumi has been controversial, with legal battles and court injunctions initiated by local landowners contesting the district’s use of the land. This hesitation echoes past difficulties faced when attempting to move closer to the rural population.
Former Local Council V Chairperson Alfred Okuonzi’s previous efforts to relocate the district headquarters to Odumi were hindered by a lack of operational funds from the central government, which limited the district’s ability to establish new services.
Ayikobua, further appealed for patience from councilors, highlighting that, rushing the move could lead to operational inefficiencies and other issues.
“The decision we shall be making should not be the one plugging the district into trouble. This is my appeal to you councilors because severally leaders have made our communities to suffer because of wrong decisions. We will be very keen that the decisions we make should not be the decisions that will cost the district” he added.
The creation of Arua city has added more pressure to establish new district headquarters, leading to a council resolution favoring Odumi over Arivu. However, this decision continues to generate tension among different local groups.
Currently, the district government is operating temporarily within Arua City while navigating the legal, physical space, and infrastructural challenges caused by the city’s expansion. These issues collectively delay the district’s official move to Odumi, reflecting broader administrative and legal obstacles.
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