A 54-year-old businessman has been remanded to Gulu Main Prison until December 10 over allegations of trespassing on land belonging to the Northern Uganda Diocese in Omoro district.
On Monday, Peter Abola appeared before grade one magistrate Bonny Akol to take plea. He was charged with forcibly entering land owned by St. Luke Church of Uganda. He was arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following his arrest last Thursday.
According to the charge sheet, between October and November 20 this year, at Koro Abili village, Labwoc parish in Koro subcounty, Abola allegedly unlawfully and violently entered the church’s land in an attempt to take possession of it.
The charges further state that he transported construction materials, including concrete poles, wire mesh, and chain-link fencing, in an effort to fence off the land, which includes a health centre II owned by the church.
Abola is also accused of chasing away staff from the health centre without presenting any lawful court order permitting eviction from the 18-acre property. Abola pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defence lawyer, Brian Watmon of Odongo & Co. Advocates, requested a short adjournment due to the absence of the state attorney.
The magistrate noted that bail could not be considered in the absence of a state prosecutor. In an interview, Abola insisted that the disputed land rightfully belongs to him and claimed he holds a title for it.
He accused the Northern Uganda Diocese of illegally constructing a house on the property, which the church maintains is a health facility. The Northern Uganda Diocese, however, says St. Luke Church of Uganda has occupied the disputed land since 1926, along with a primary school and a health centre II that have served the community until the dispute arose recently.
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