Christopher Omara and security officials have interest in protecting Balaalo cattle herders who settled in the project area, as the Nwoya RDC claimed the University got the land frauddently.
GULU CITY-SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2025.
By Okumu Livingstone Langol
Once upon a time, Acholi Sub Region used to send their children to study abroad in Central Uganda from the early 1930s where the first batch of graduated from Makerere University were the likes of Julius Peter Aber, Dr. Alexander Odonga, Akera Anania, Lalobo Obadiah among others. However, in 2001, Acholi Sub Region opened its door to open Gulu University. Gulu University started at the District Farm Institute and was established in 2002 by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, and legally instituted by Statutory Instrument No. 31 of 2003. Gulu University Foundation on a District Farm Institute without any seed grant made the university got difficulties in expanding within Gulu City based on the fact that majority of land near the then Gulu District Farm Institute is Central Forest reserve. This forced the founders of Gulu University to scout land in neighboring districts to support its expansion for certain practical subjects like Agriculture among others. This expansion included acquiring of a to 1,552.0490 hectares of land in Nyamukino, Arana,Lungulu Subcounty in Nwoya district. Currently the University leadership is accusing a section of Nwoya District leaders for peddling confusion with some members of community have encroached on portion of the university land.
On Friday, September 12, 2025. Our Correspondent met James Onono Ojok and he shared his disappointment how the son from the soil is wreaking havoc having his personal vendetta. James Onono said they have found out that there are some leaders in Nwoya District and security officials who are causing confusion because they are not chasing the Balaalo cattle herders.
“It’s true we found many Balalo herds men on a portion of the university land and for them, the presidential directive doesn’t apply because they have not been evicted to date, as a university we have complained formally to the Minister of Northern Uganda in the manner in which Balalo in the university land are treated as kings by a section of officials”. Ojok James Onono the University Public Relations Officer said.
Onono added that this publication could ask Omara Christopher the head of District Security in Nwoya, why his office had not coordinated evicting Balalo herds men on portion of the University as per the presidential directive No.2.
“We are told that a section of some leaders in Nwoya are profiting from keeping Balalo herdsmen headed by Lwakaana Twaha who has connived with the encroachers on portion of the university land in Arana”. Onono added. The University Public relations officer also told this publication that they have devised mechanism to stop the third-party profiteering by engaging the encroachers directly.
“To avoid further confusion or violence, we have decided to engage directly these people in the university land without any third party, this approach shall cement the negotiation and the university plan will continue”.
Our Correspondent asked Christoper Omara, why Gulu University is accusing him of having interest in Arana 1,000 hectares of land. And why the Balaalo cattle keepers have not been evicted as per Presidential Executive Order No. 2.
“Gulu University either, they may see me as corrupt or either fight me. When I was posted in Nwoya district two years ago. The University official came to me and I organized the meeting, we went with them to Arana, NYAMOKINO Sub County. They say they were talking with the family of the late Col. Anywar”
“Together with the family of the late Col. Anywar on 1st August 2025, we went to Gulu University office, later we went to Major General Felix Busizoori we went to Arana University land, and later we were supposing to meet Gulu University staff later, but they did not turn up”
“” The problem with Gulu University is they are talking with imposter from the family of the late Col. Anywar, David Opiro who they claimed to have bought 1,000 hectares of land from him, but David Opiro inherited the wife of the late Col. Anywar, the real son of the late Col. Anywar is called Lamo, who University does not want to talk directly to”. Omara roared.
“I am also accusing Gulu University of blackmailing me, why do they talk to Norbert Mao, the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, who accused me before President Museveni that I am blocking them from using Gulu University land. If for that matter, the University has got the land in fraudulent way, after all Gulu University which was meant to admit sons and daughters from Acholi Sub Region they are not doing so.”” Christopher Omara castigated Gulu University top administration.
In Addition, we went to Gulu UPDF 4 Division commander Major General. Felix Busizoori in Arana on 8th August 2025. We met 17 families and the biological son of the late Col. Anywar called Lamo, he is complaining that they have been on the line. The meeting resolved that the Gulu University meet later, in the meeting I found out that the family of Ochora is being used; they have an agreement.
“But I don’t care, I am working for the state not for Acholi.” This is after integrating him why he turned his back from his community.
In respond to this allegation, Ojok James Onono the University PRO said he is in shock that RDC Omara is pursuing his personal interest and rubbished the RDC allegation that they are dealing with an imposter as lack of intelligence on the RDC side, since the University is dealing with families who are willing to get compensation and keep off the university land.
“The Family of the late afande Anywar are divided and in court, we are first dealing with Families who are not in court and shall come back later to those with conflicts within their families, the RDC should remove emotions out of University issues. I picked information that he has some academic personal challenge with the university, this should not form his biasness towards the university. Onono reiterated.
Major Gen. Felix Busizoori when asked why Gulu UPDF 4 Division has not been implementing Presidential Executive Order No.2, Gen. Busizoori revealed that since June, in the year 2025. The UPDF Gulu 4 Division has carried out eviction in Amuru District removing over 1,000 cattle, but unfortunately 40 cattle died during unplanned eviction. That is why they have not been carrying on more eviction.
Major Gen. Busizoori confirmed that recently we have a meeting in Gulu University and University is in the process of compensating those people who have settled in the University land, they are going to be evicted.
“” For us we don’t refuse to carry out Presidential Executive Order No. 2, we have evicted over 1000 cattle from Amuru District and we found over 40 cows died, the University are complaining to a wrong people, Lwakaana Twaha is not settle in Gulu University land.”” UPDF Gulu 4 Division Commander commented.
The attempt to contact Lwakaana Twaha over phones have been futile when our news source contacted him over the phone number 0701098323.
Ends
