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ACHOLI - President Yoweri Museveni has assured the people of Acholi subregion that the government is committed to solving the Apaa Land conflict between the Madi tribe of Adjumani and the Acholi of Amuru once and for all.

Museveni was on Saturday speaking in Gulu City during the closure of a Prayer gathering cliqued “Light Up Acholi Land” Crusade hosted by Pastor Patience Rwambogo, the senior Pastor of Covenant Nations Church from August 30 to September 2023.

The assurance comes as a result of the Minister for Northern Uganda’s plea to the President to help end the contested Apaa Land questions during the ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny had asked the President to intervene in the Apaa Land Saga following a recent attack that led to the alleged killing of four people, the disappearance of six other people, and the burning of 35 huts according to a recent report.

President Museveni in his response explained that there are some political leaders who are escalating and complicating the Apaa land matter by causing unrest in the area maimed with killings over land.

Museveni explained that the boundaries of Apaa are well drawn according to the colonial Map and there is no need to fight and have continuous control over that.

“It doesn’t matter where the boundary is; whether in Acholi, Adjumani, or Moyo. The Constitution allows Ugandans to live anywhere. We will review the colonial map of the area”, said Museveni.

He added that the question of whether Apaa is a game reserve is also going to be investigated by the l Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCoI).

The President explained that the government has already established a ‘Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCoI) that is going to investigate the details of the matters in Apaa and will come back with a report on that.

Museveni also remarked that those who are fueling the tensions, inciting violence, and masterminding the plot to kill and cause unrest shall be brought to book very soon.

“Those who are causing trouble really do not see far. There is no way you will cause trouble and we can find you”, said Museveni.

The head of state elaborated that he is going to instruct the JCoI to commence their work with immediate effect to solve the wrangle once and for all.

Museveni added that it is unfortunate that there is unrest in the contested area, but asked the locals affected to take heart because the solution and rest is not far from maturing. 

 Acholi MPs Calls for Quick Intervention

Earlier on the Same day, the Members of Parliament from Acholi had petitioned the government to do a rapid intervention into the matter following the latest attack on August 30, 2023.

The Members of Parliament under their umbrella Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) made the call during a press briefing in Gulu City on Saturday morning.

Anthony Akol ,the Chairman of APG and MP-Kilak North Constituency in Amuru District said that following what transpired recently, they summoned the government to allow for the immediate recruitment of and training of 10 ‘home guards per parish for all the 36 parishes Apaa. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)

Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (honorable), the MP representing Bardege-Layibi Division in Gulu City emphasizes the need to address boundary marks, which are the catalyst to the unrest.

Hon. Mapenduzi heights that as long as the boundary has not yet, been defined, tensions shall be inevitable.

“We request that Apaa should be re-gazette since this area was gazette in 2011 with the process first commencing in 2002 without the consultation of the majority occupants since they were in the Internal Displaced Camps (IDP) because of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war”, remarked Mapenduzi.

Betty Aol Ocan, the Gulu City Woman Member of Parliament in Gulu City said that they would love the government to stand with the four families who lost their members in the August 30, 2-023 attack.

Aol said that a tune of at least Sh. 10 million should be remitted to each family to help them have a decent burial of their departed relative and also support the injured individuals.

Anthony Akol ,the Chairman of APG and MP-Kilak North Constituency in Amuru District said that following what transpired recently, they summoned the government to allow for the immediate recruitment of and training of 10 ‘home guards per parish for all the 36 parishes Apaa.

Akol expanded that they also demand for the administration of Apaa to be taken over by the government so that the population of 46,000 people can benefit from government amenities and programs such as Parish Development t Model that is apparently suspended in the area due to unrest.

The MPs had given up to two weeks for the government to respond to the above demands before they could take another action to save their people.

Lawyer Advises on the Plea by MPs

Henry Kilama Komakech (Counsel), a renowned Lawyer in Gulu City and Acholi land while giving legal guidance on the matter said that the Members of Parliament are right to demand a quick intervention because of the damages being caused in the area.

Con. Kilama expressed that as much as the government has established a JCoI that should be respected and waited, there is a need for speed to handle the matter in order to reduce tribal tensions that are claiming innocent lives of the individuals who are seeking settlement just any other citizen of the county.

“We should have waited or the JCoI should have fastened the report by taking views from the community, but the process should be fastened so that lives and properties are saved”, said Con. Kilama.

Kilama remarked that there is a need for the JCoI to meet both the leaders of Acholi and Madi so that they work together in solving the differences that exist now.

He added that it is also important that both the leaders of Madi and Acholi work together without witch-hunting each other for any personal gains.