Tensions Rise in Lira as Airport Land Boundary Dispute Leaves Residents Facing Eviction
Tensions Rise in Lira as Airport Land Boundary Dispute Leaves Residents Facing Eviction A major land dispute has erupted in the Lango sub-region, leaving hundreds of Lira City residents facing imminent eviction and the total loss of their property investments. The crisis centers on the proposed international airport expansion in the Anai area, where local buyers are discovering that plots they purchased in good faith unknowingly fall directly within the newly designated boundaries of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
Caught in the Crosshairs of Development The conflict stems from a severe lack of communication during recent land transactions. Scores of residents who recently acquired land, constructed homes, or established agricultural projects in Anai have been informed by municipal authorities that their developments are illegal. Because the land forms part of the planned international airfield perimeter, current occupants are facing strict eviction notices. Many victims claim they were never informed of the UCAA’s master plan by local land boards or the private sellers who pocketed their savings.
Leadership Urges Sacrifice for "City Status" While affected families are demanding compensation and alternative land, local government officials are taking a firm stance on the development. Lira District LCV Chairman, Alex Oremo Alot, has publicly urged the aggrieved locals to cooperate and peacefully surrender the contested land. Speaking on the matter, Chairman Oremo emphasized that a modernized, international-standard airfield is non-negotiable if Lira is to truly validate and sustain its newly acquired city status. "We understand the pain of displacement, but Lira City cannot grow without vital infrastructure like an international airport," regional administrative notes indicate. "We must look at the future economic benefits for the entire Lango sub-region."
Emergency Interventions and Parliamentary Oversight As local anger intensifies, Members of Parliament representing the Lango Sub-region have stepped in to mediate the escalating standoff. A legislative delegation recently conducted a fact-finding tour of the contested Anai boundaries to assess the scale of human displacement firsthand. Following the site visit, regional lawmakers called for a temporary halt to aggressive enforcement to allow for high-level dialogue. Emergency alignment meetings have been scheduled in Kampala between the Lango Parliamentary Group, Ministry of Lands officials, and top executives from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. The discussions aim to verify the exact boundary markers, investigate the legality of the recent land sales, and determine whether a fair compensation framework can be established for the displaced families.
