[Source: The Standard, by Ignatius Odanga]
Busia County has been petitioned to involve locals on the proposed construction of the multi-billion agricultural industrial park on the 843-acre land the court reverted to the State last year.
Nasewa Nucleaus Estate located in Matayos Constituency was acquired by the Government from Nasewa residents in the 1990s, and given to Busia Sugar Company (BSC) for construction of a sugar factory.
However, the factory was never set up but existed only on paper. It was later placed under receivership with Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) claiming the estate on grounds that the firm owed it Sh100 million.
Mumias later put up the land for sale to a private company, Kaplony Enterprise Ltd.
The decision prompted human rights activist Okiya Omtatah to sue Mumias and Busia sugar companies in 2012.Other respondents in the case were former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Wetang’ula, Adan and Makokha Advocates, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority.
Part of Mr Omtatah’s prayers were for the court to declare any alienation, transfer of encumbrance of Nasewa Nucleus Estate to Busia Sugar Company, Mumias Sugar Company or Kaplony Ltd null and void since everything was done illegally.
The activist also wanted the court to declare that Nasewa Estate was not private property.
On 31st July 2018, Environment and Land Court judge the late Samuel Mukunya ordered the land be reverted back to the Government for the purpose of establishing a sugar factory that would economically benefit Busia sugar farmers.
Justice Mukunya concluded that it was wrong for the land, which was donated by locals, to be allocated to private companies for their own use.
Last week, a consortium of Chinese Investors met Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and his deputy Moses Mulomi.
The discussion centered on establishment of a modern agricultural industrial park to commercialize the farming, processing of cassava and other crops in larger Western region and Eastern part of Uganda which the governor agreed.
Ojaamong said the park will be co-owned by ministries of finance and agriculture and his administration.
Matayos MP expressed some reservations about the proposed park. Speaking at St Joseph Busia Girls Primary yesterday the MP noted the project was good but insisted that locals must be involved in the entire process.
[Full article: The Standard, by Ignatius Odanga]
