Fellow Citizens:
The question that is if the NRM military dictatorship is to implement it's so called I hear "Security and Production Programme (SPP)" who is going to take possession of huge Acholi land mass abandoned by Acholi peasant farmers? Is Museveni getting ready to give this Land to the South African Boers or Zimbabwe White farmers. Museveni's move is nothing other the a cynical attempt to dispossess the Acholi out of their land and grant the some to his Masters. Be warned fellow citizens. Some of us see through Museveni's skim quiet clearly.
Matek
Security Production Programme could be dangerous venture
I have come across a concept paper entitled Security and Production Programme (SPP), which was circulated during a public dialogue on conflict resolution for northern Uganda, held on July 22, 2003 at the Nile Hotel International Conference Centre.
Apparently, SSP is a government proposal for implementation in the near future.
According to the paper, SPP is a strategic plan to counter insecurity in the Acholi sub-region.
SPP, according to the paper, envisages transforming Internally Displaced People's Camps (IDPs) into Ujama-type-villages by establishing block farms known as security and production units (SPUs) around each camp.
It details out maize, beans, upland rice and sorghum as some of the crops the displaced persons are to grow for their survival and as a source of income.
The programme also targets 800,000 people (the entire population of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader).
The SPP looks attractive for donor funding and may be applauded by Ugandans who have little regard for the rights of IDPs.
It is important, however, to note that the Ujama project did not work in Tanzania where people moved voluntarily to the camps.
A similar project was tried out by Obote 1 but failed. Besides, the Acholi hate IDPs to the neck.
I therefore recommend to whoever is concerned that before SPP is implemented, it should be thoroughly debated by Gulu, Kitgum and Pader district councils to generate consensus among the population on how it can be best be implemented, lest it faces resentment and the anticipated benefit lost.
The SPP if not well understood by the population risks being perceived as a plot to keep Acholi permanently in camps and this could escalate the rebellion.
Richard Komakech Balmoi,
MUK
The question that is if the NRM military dictatorship is to implement it's so called I hear "Security and Production Programme (SPP)" who is going to take possession of huge Acholi land mass abandoned by Acholi peasants? Is Museveni getting ready to give this Land to the South African Boers or Zimbabwe White farmers. Museveni move is nothing other the a cynical attempt to desposses the Acholi out of their land and grant the some to his Masters. Be warned fellow citizens.
