The raging land row between Soroti University and residents of Aputon Village in Soroti Municipality over ownership of a 100 acre piece of land has taken another interesting twist; with the area RDC Filbert Ocailap getting booted from office.
Mr Ocailap, who stood side by side with the residents against what was termed as an illegal eviction by the Soroti University officials, has now been ordered to handover office immediately.
Last week on Monday, while meeting the locals and security officials at Soroti Lukiko Hall, Ocailap ordered Police to arrest the Soroti University staff involved in the deadly night eviction.
The RDC was relieved of his duties in a letter seen by this website, dated 29th May 2017 and signed by Ms. Deborah Katuramu, the Permanent Secretary for the Office of the President addressed.
Copied in the letter are; Minister for Presidency, Head of Public service, Auditor General, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Principle Private Secretary to HE the President, the Residence District Commissioner Hoima and his deputy.
It reads in part, “The office is in receipt of allegations about your misconduct which is contrary to Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, Section F Paragraph 2 (c).”
“Its alleged that you have participated in acting and interfering or causing conflicts in regard to land issues in Soroti district, an act that brings the service into disrespect….The purpose of this letter is the request you to handover the office in accordance with Section F (d) of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2010) and proceed on forced leave pending investigations.”
In a meantime according to the letter, RDC Ocailap has been replaced by Isaac Kawoya the RDC Hoima and the transfer takes immediate effect.
RDC Ocailap’s sacking has left squatters on Aputon land displeased and worried of the next move that Soroti University could take against them.
Mzee Geresem Eotu, one of the squatters while speaking our reporter said he has now lost hope of getting his compensation from the University as the sacked RDC has been championing their compensation before leaving the contested land.
He blamed the Soroti University Secretary for fighting hard for the removal of RDC Ocailap.
Plot 51 that Soroti University is fighting for according to Soroti NRM Chairman Charles Elasu was not initially allocated to the university, which is now using force to obtain it.
Chairman Elasu also did not hesitate to express his disappointment with the action taken by the appointing authority, of “ridding such a professional RDC to favor land grabbers.”
Soroti University top leadership has on several occasions distanced themselves from allegations of grabbing land from the locals, stressing that they are engaging directly with the families on potential channels of compensating them.
On Sunday while appearing on the National Broadcaster UBC the University Secretary accused President Museveni’s Ex Ministers Mike Mukula, Jessica Alupo and Hellen Christine Amongin of misleading the community to fight the government project.