A tense session unfolded at Tororo District Council during the approval of the district’s 2026/2027 budget estimates worth Shs97 billion after councillors questioned the inclusion of controversial land allocation requests on the council order paper without their knowledge.
The meeting, which had been expected to smoothly pass the district budget, quickly descended into heated exchanges as councillors demanded clarity on several government entities seeking land from the district.
One after another, councillors called on District Speaker Cheria Andera to first table official request letters from the institutions before any approvals could be considered.
They also demanded details regarding the exact size and location of the land being requested.
“We need letters from those institutions highlighting the size of land and we need to know where this land is and how much land they need,” councillor Michael Okongo said.
Despite the protests, the Speaker proceeded to pass the budget together with the contested land requests involving about seven government entities.
Among the institutions reportedly seeking land are the Office of the Inspector General of Government, the High Court and the Resident District Commissioner’s office, among others.
Defending the decision, Speaker Cheria Andera said the allocations are intended to improve service delivery and bring government services closer to residents.
“Look at the High Court. Before, we used to go to Mbale High Court, but now we have the High Court in Tororo, which has reduced the costs our people were going through. So this allocation of space is intended to extend services nearer to our people,” Andera said.
However, several councillors remained unconvinced, arguing that the lack of transparency surrounding the requests had revived fears over the continued loss of public land.
Some leaders cited a five-acre piece of land at the District Agricultural Training and Information Centre (DATIC), which was reportedly allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for hatchery and breeding projects.
“To date, nothing is there, and nothing has been presented to council to explain why the Ministry of Agriculture has spent years without putting the land to use as promised,” councillor James Onyango said.
Another disputed piece of land near the RDC’s office was reportedly allocated about 15 years ago to the Ministry of Energy for the construction of a regional mineral centre. Councillors said the land remains undeveloped and is currently fenced off, with parts allegedly being used for gardens.
“This has been a culture among some leaders here. Some individuals use the names of institutions whenever they want a piece of land,” Okongo alleged.
District leaders, however, dismissed accusations of ill motives or plans to sell public land, insisting that the requests are genuine and officially submitted.
District Chairperson John Okea said several government institutions had formally requested land to establish regional offices in the district.
“Internal Security needs land to construct a regional office here. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has also written requesting land to build a regional office block,” Okea said.
Deputy RDC Albert Amula called for greater transparency in future land allocations, urging council to clearly specify measurements and conditions whenever public land is allocated.
“It is high time the district council allocates land specifically by measurements so people know that one acre or two acres has been given to a particular entity and under what terms. This will help the district gain public trust and also protect government land. If the land is not utilized it should revert back to council,” Amula said.
The concerns come at a time when Tororo District continues to lose sizable chunks of government land to private individuals through what leaders describe as fraudulent dealings.
Among the contested properties is the former district state lodge, which was reportedly sold off, as well as parts of public stadium land that leaders say have since been encroached on.