Acholi leaders turn backs on border reopening

By Arnest Tumwesige & Johnisani Ocakacon

GULU - Leaders from Acholi sub region have turned their heads down on the reopening of the border between Amuru and Adjumani district, a contradiction in an earlier meeting with the prime minister that the exercise should be carried out.

In a meeting held on 5th May in Kampala, leaders from Acholi and West Nile sub region under the chairmanship of Ruhakana Rugunda the prime minister under sixth resolution, consented that the administrative boundaries between the two districts be opened using the 1960 and 1962 maps.

The meeting, which was attended by leaders from both districts, also banned the use of inflammatory language that incites the public among other resolutions.

A car belonging to Olanya, the area MP, takes the lead as it maneuvers through the bush after locals blocked the road leading to Apaa recently. PHOTO/Arnest Tumwesige

However in a meeting which sat on Monday in Gulu Municipality, the leaders noted that there was need to reopen the border since it had already been marked by the British using the physical features.

They noted that, the map government wanted to use was doctored to suit the interestS of few individuals who wanted to use the land.

“We want government to first reconcile with the people of Apaa village through compensating the relatives of those who lost their lives and properties during the 2012 Uganda Wild Life eviction exercise”.

“Government should come out and make an intervention on the 2,000 huts that were burnt, people who were beaten and crops that were destroyed,” they emphasized.

Reagan Okumu, the chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary group, asked the prime minister to come to Apaa for a fact finding mission and come out with a better resolution on the side of the government before implementing the reopening exercise.

Okumu equally emphasized that in case the exercise should be carried, there was need to have independent surveyors to do the work rather than relying on government man power.

Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the former leader of the opposition, asked UWA to state clearly through maps obtained from Entebbe on whether its boundary extends to Amuru district.

He however cautioned leaders from both districts to critically analyze the problem surrounding the reopening exercise before bringing in the central government.

“I want to challenge the leaders of Amuru clamoring for compensation for the property destroyed to produce credible evidence without speaking from the blue,” Ogenga noted.

Douglas Peter Okello, the Gulu district speaker, of recent also criticized leaders speaking on Apaa land matters for not being knowledgeable about the issue.

Okello said, with each leader coming out with his version of the statement on the matter exposes the weakness in the leaders and causes more divisions among locals who are equally not informed.

The resolutions of the meeting discussed are to be forwarded to the office of the prime minister as a feedback from the leaders of Acholi sub region.

Apaa village, is the contested area between Adjumani and Amuru districts.

Amuru district claims that the border is at Zoka river while Adjumani claims it's at Apaa Junction 25 kilometers from Zoka river.

Of recent at the helm of the alleged border reopening, women from Apaa decided to strip naked in a protest before two ministers, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima of Internal affairs and Daudi Migereko of Lands and Housing and Urban development.