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Residents affected by the planned expansion of the Soroti Flying School airstrip are demanding that the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) remove mark stones planted on their land prior to any community consultations.

Three weeks ago, UCAA began placing mark stones in Madera Cell, Soroti East Division, claiming ownership of the land. However, locals protested, asserting that the areas marked do not belong to the UCAA.

Mr Max Albert Okurut, a resident of Madera Cell, questioned the procedures UCAA followed before planting the stones. “Which procedures did you follow that do not abide by the normal Ugandan surveying practices? How can you plant mark stones without the knowledge of local leaders and communities?” he asked, emphasising that the erection of the mark stones was done without community consent.

Another resident, Mr David Esamij, warned that those surveying the land should be cautious. “How can you claim land while planting mark stones? This could lead to serious consequences,” he said, urging the UCAA to engage directly with local communities when acquiring land.

In response, Mr Yusuf Omodo, a staff member at CAA, assured residents that no one would be evicted from their land, adding that those affected might ultimately benefit. He acknowledged that the proper procedures were not followed and apologized to the community, stating that aviation regulations must be adhered to during development.

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