Minister Lokeris Warns Karamoja Against Unnecessary Sale of Land

The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mr. Peter Lokeris Aimat, has warned locals in Karamoja to desist from selling land, adding that the land belongs to the people of Karamoja but not to an individual.
Mr. Lokeris was speaking on Sunday during a community dialogue to bless the opening of the Katikekile in Moroto district and the Lokapel junction road in Nabilatuk district.
The meeting was held in Lokapel junction in Nabilatuk district.
The community has fully supported the opening of the road.
Mr. Lokeris said there is no Karimojong who owns land as an individual, warning that land in Karamoja is owned communally. He said whoever is selling it is selling air, and whoever buys it is buying air.
Mr. Lokeris praised President Museveni for pacifying Karamoja, saying the region is now talking of development, not again wars.
“There is no land for sale by an individual in Karamoja. Land in Karamoja is communal, and whoever is titling communal land in Karamoja is titling air,” he said.
Mr. Remigio Achia, the member of parliament for Pian county in Nabilatuk district, said titling of communal land was likely to render communities in Karamoja landless.
According to Mr. Remigio, everyone with positive minds to change Karamoja through farming was welcome, but on the condition that he or she does not buy land but only uses the land and leaves it.
Mr. John Nangiro, the district chairperson for Nakapiripirit, urged the Karimojong to embrace peace, adding that peace was the key to development in Karamoja.
Minister for Karamoja affairs Mr Peter Lokeris Aimat addressing the elders gathering on sunday in Nabilatuk district (Photo by steven Ariong)