Alebtong, Uganda – Thousands of residents in Imaki Oboro, Alebtong District, are celebrating after Deputy Resident District Commissioner (D/RDC) Mathias Lutwama intervened on March 6, 2025, to restore their access to Owameri Irrigation Dam.
This follows a petition from nine villages, which highlighted rising tensions between the local community and the Prisons farm over water rights.
The dispute stemmed from claims that the 750 acres of land granted by the government to the Prisons farm included exclusive control of Owameri Dam, which had cut off local residents from using the water.
Additionally, there was confusion over whether the 20 acres allocated for the Owameri Irrigation Scheme allowed the community direct access to the dam’s water.
In response to the petition, Deputy RDC Lutwama, along with Assistant RDC Ongom Lameck, Aloi Town Council Mayor, the Fisheries Officer, the Forest Officer, and officials from the Ministry of Water, visited the site to address the concerns.
Key Issues Addressed
1. Land and Water Rights – Clarifying if the Prisons farm has absolute rights to the dam and whether the community’s irrigation scheme includes water access.
2. Community-Prisons Conflict – Addressing the rising hostility between local residents and Prisons staff.
Invoking Chapter 3 of Uganda’s Constitution, Deputy RDC Lutwama issued a directive allowing all citizens of Imaki Oboro to resume using Owameri Dam’s water without interference.
“I have directed that the people who have been denied access to the dam for a long time resume using the water without any interruption,” Lutwama declared.
To ensure the security and management of the dam, Lutwama announced plans to convene a meeting with local council leaders from the nine affected villages and the Prisons community on Saturday.
Lutwama and his team also took steps to protect the dam’s ecosystem. Both the community and the Prisons farm were instructed to:
• Cease burning vegetation and producing charcoal around the water catchment area.
• Adhere to the National Environment Regulations (2000) to protect wetlands and natural water bodies.
• Embrace the National Irrigation Policy (2017) to harness fertile soils and promote food security.
The restoration of access to the dam has brought immediate relief to thousands facing food insecurity in the region.
Residents expressed gratitude for the intervention, recognizing it as a fulfillment of the NRM government’s commitment to improving livelihoods.
Deputy RDC Lutwama emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring that public resources like Owameri Dam benefit all citizens.
“We are committed to balancing community needs with environmental sustainability while fostering peaceful coexistence,” he concluded.
The upcoming meeting on Saturday is expected to further resolve tensions and ensure continued cooperation between the community and the Prisons farm.
