Government has paid
off 6.5 billion shillings as compensation to land owners in four villages in
Nadunget sub-county in Moroto district.
A total of 781.41 acres already titled land will be home to Moroto
constituent college of Agriculture, a pledge made by President Yoweri
Museveni during his campaign trail in
the sub region in 2016.
The villages that offered land after the intervention Moroto local
government have been identified as, Namatwae, Nachuka, Komaret and Loputiput in
Nadunget the most populated sub county in the district.
Speaking at the two-day final exercise to compensate the land
owners held at the site that ended on Thursday, the vice chancellor for Gulu
University Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru said the acquisition of the land was a
milestone achievement.
The piece of land lies along Moroto-Nakapiripirit highway, some 14
kilometers’ from Moroto town.
He said President Museveni gave a directive to the Minister of
Education Janet K. Museveni, in a letter dated 1st July 2016 on the
establishment of Gulu University constituent college of agriculture in Moroto,
Karamoja sub region.
According to the President the college will offer the Karimojong
the much needed technical support that facilitates improvement in food
production, by encouraging the youths engage in agriculture.
The deputy resident district commissioner Moroto Justine Tuko who
was the chief guest hailed Gulu University for the commitment to establish the
Moroto constituent college.
He said students offering agriculture among other courses will have
costs reduced in terms of transport to other parts of the country for study.
The village chairperson Nachuka, Peter Lomongin says the
establishment of the institution of near the communities is a blessing but
advised government to fence off the land as soon as possible to avoid
encroachment since the land has been paid off.
Lomongin reminded Gulu University to consider ensuring the money
for those arrested and convicted for the offence of cattle rustling is in safe
hands as they serve sentences in different prisons.