The UPDF 4th division commander, Brig. Gen. Bonny Bamwiseki, on Tuesday, accused politicians in Acholi and Adjumani of inciting the community in Apaa.

He was responding to questions on the attack that took place on Monday morning in Apaa, where some huts were torched by suspected arsonists from Adjumani district.

In the attack, at least 10 huts were set on fire, household items and 10 domestic animals were reportedly looted.

The incident took place in Goro B village, Itirikwa sub-county in Adjumani district at around 1 am, as most of the community members were asleep.

This woman is one of the victims who lost property after at least 10 huts were set on fire. (Photo by Claude Omona)

Pointing an accusing finger at them, UPDF's Bamwiseki said the leaders are not patriotic.

“If they love their country, they would not incite the community members to become violent,” he said.

He added that while the Government is working to ensure that the tension over the Apaa land is resolved, leaders from both Acholi and Adjumani divert the efforts of the Government.

On the accusation that some of the UPDF personnel deployed in Apaa are siding with the Adjumani community, Bamwiseki said the army is pro-people and does not take sides.

Bamwiseki said the group of youths from Adjumani arrested by the UPDF on Monday morning were later handed over to the Police Force.

He urged the community members to stay calm and avoid being incited by the local community members.

'No food'

Alfred Okwonga, the LC1 chairperson of Goro B village, told New Vision that the people whose huts were set ablaze are now desperate.

“We do not have food and we are languishing with our family members. No house, no cooking utensils and we are on the mercy of God," he said, appealing for help from other leaders and the Government.

No other attack has happened in Apaa since Monday.

Apaa land turned contentious when the Government in 2017 demarcated boundaries between Amuru and Adjumani districts.

The village was placed under Adjumani, much to the dismay of the Acholi people from Amuru with whom they have inhabited the land for decades.

Since then, the attacks have been recurring, as the Madi community wants the Acholi people pushed off the land.