APAC District: Residents in the seven villages surrounding Maruzi Ranch land in Ibuje sub-county, Apac district, are demanding that the government fence off the ranchland.
In 2019, the government leased 54 square miles of the ranchland for 50 years to Hill Side Agricultural Investment Limited for the establishment of Palm Oil Production. Part of the 64 square kilometres of land was given to NAGRIC, and they are currently keeping over 10,000 herds of cattle.
Residents claim that they have continued to experience torture by the UPDF soldiers guarding the ranchland, especially when stray animals destroy their crops and they complain. They say that the stray animals from the ranchland have destroyed several crop gardens, causing food insecurity and starvation in the area.
Consantino Okao, Tarogali LCII chairperson, says that much of the 54 square miles of Maruzi Ranch land was given to Hill Side Investor, but 10 square kilometres of the ranchland which was supposed to be given to the community as grazing land according to the MOU, was not given.
He said that they are now demanding that the ranch land be fenced off and the 10 square miles be given to the community to restore sanity in the area.
Apac Resident District Commissioner George Abudul cautioned the affected residents against taking the law into their own hands, pledging to follow up on the matter.