Prof Ogenga’s obsession with Madhvani is suspect

 MODERN INVESTMENTS

Prof Morris Latigo Ogenga appears to be a man of stead and objectivity until he begins to sound like recent NRM converts. I find that his obsession with Madhvani’s investment in sugarcane plantation in Amuru is suspect. I have read his numerous interviews in the media and followed his recent infatuation with Madhvani and oil palm plantations to be quite strange.

It is noteworthy to reiterate that no Acholi person in his or her rightful frame of mind can refuse a genuine investment to take root in Acholiland. However, the cornerstone of the contention is in the manner by which these investments are being shoved down the throat of Acholi folks. We have not forgotten the militaristic advances of Divinity Union who harassed our folks for land at the peak of the war era.

It is contemptible to believe that Dr. Latigo has become desperate for handouts from the state as his detractors are suggesting. Many of us have come to admire the brevity of Prof Ogenga and believe that he is the bridge that connects the old conservative mindset and the neo-liberal sprouts of contemporary Acholi generation. One aspect of Prof Latigo’s dilemma is that his perception of the true potential of Acholiland has been definitely compromised. I suspect that his recent association with pessimistic, devious, deceitful and psychopathic characters in the NRM government has done him in.

It is arguable that Acholi as a region is juxtaposed between depleted leadership which was instrumental and relevant during the genocide period, but whose relevance in post conflict Acholi has staggered. None of these leaders have proposed a robust post conflict roadmap for developing Acholi. Most of them either lick Museveni’s boots or oppose whatever is NRM, a hallmark of opposition politics. Nonetheless, Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo is faced with endurance of moral crisis in such an environment of limited capacity among our leaders.

The Oil Palm project in Kalangala as a justification for Madhvani usurpation of land in Amuru is merely a red herring. People in Kalangala who have had to forfeit their land for the Oil Palm project will tell you that they are trapped and enslaved. Their stories are no different than the stories of those in Kakiira or Kinyara sugar plantations. However, the manner in which their tales of suffering get to the public realms is purely a manipulation to justify plantation investments.

Acholi region, like all other regions in the world is situated for competitive modern technology investments not plantation. There are many ways to inspire growth, and one very crucial factor of economic growth is the cultivation of industrious minds. An industrious mind would look at opportunities in Acholi beyond Madhvani plantations. Acholiland has lots of resources in the form of land. It is disadvantaged by a diminished population due to depopulation policies of the NRM/A through genocide. To counter this disadvantage, Acholi leaders have to carefully moot a comprehensive post conflict economic program which targets investments in modern technology and value adding industries.

Industries do not run on water and fertile soil alone, there must be various sources of green energy to drive these industries. One of the challenges with relying on plantation as key industry for the entire Acholi land is that Madhvani will always be the sole person to determine market price for sugarcane harvests and energy needs of the region. This is the same problem that out-growers in the Oil Palm projects are facing in Kalangala. They are enslaved because the monopoly of the buyer permanently locks them up in loan arrears and a hand-to mouth life that limits human development. In short, plantation workers are never free people, they are slaves.

If Prof Ogenga does not have personal interests - and we should confidently assume that he is being selfless and all genuine - why doesn't he, as a leader, advocate for a comprehensive industrialization policy for the entire Acholi region? Is the region too backward to have value adding investments such as car assembly plants, international airports, major supermarkets and five star hotels investments to offer competitive advantage over Southern Sudan and Eastern Congo markets?  It is this western “Messiah” syndrome which detracts Prof. Ogenga to make him think that people who are critical of his ambitious ploy to give away land to Madhvani are also jealous of his personal achievements. Plantations are the things of the past.

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