MTN FUEL TRUCK BLOCKED FROM ACCESSING TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER
‘’MTN Uganda is always trying its best to work with the communities to promote social and economic development,’’ he said.
By Christopher Nyeko
OMORO: Residents of Loyo-Ajonga Central Village, Loyo-Ajonga Parish, Lakwaya Sub County in Omoro district blocked an MTN Uganda fuel truck from accessing their telecommunication tower.
The community members claimed that they closed the road passing through Loyo-Ajonga Primary School compound in fear that the speeding vehicle would cause accidents to the pupils.
Ms. Anena Catherine, the school head teacher, told our reporter that the closing of the road was a decision from the school management committee (SMC), adding that during the meeting, the SMC and parents unanimously agreed to close the road, citing that it put their children at risk of a road accident.
Mr. Wokorach Denis, the area councilor of the Loyo-Ajonga parish, revealed that the residents have for so long requested the MTN Uganda to open a 700-meter community access road to ease access to their telecommunications tower, but in vain.
‘’The road will pass through the land of Madelena Okoch, Ayoli Kerobina Labeja, Wokorach Denis, and Stephen Odong, which will require compensation, something MTN Uganda is not willing to do,’’ he said.
The politician asserted that MTN Uganda is accessing their tower through a road passing via the school compound, which they closed over the weekend.
In 2022, MTN Uganda acquired land from Ms. Madelena Okoch for the construction of the Loyo-ajonga cell tower to reduce the poor telecommunications network in the area.
MTN Uganda would, every two weeks, take fuel to their cell site, but it was hindered over the weekend as the preferred short cut route was closed.
Michael Odongkara, the Lakwaya sub county chairperson, confirmed the incident and distanced himself, claiming that whatever MTN Uganda has been doing in the rural village of Lakwaya, his office is unaware because the sub county leadership has never been involved.
When contacted, Mr. Odoi Philip, the MTN Uganda Regional Business Manager, said that the community should make a formal request if they want any issues addressed by the company.
‘’MTN Uganda is always trying its best to work with the communities to promote social and economic development,’’ he said.
The Omoro Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Onyuk Andrew, said that his office has not been informed but that he will follow up on it. He however asked the community to choose a peaceful way if they wanted their grievances addressed.
A telecommunications tower is where electric communications equipment and antennae are mounted to enable the surrounding area to use wireless communication devices like phones and radios.
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