UPDF enforces curfew in Apaa amid escalating insecurity

GULU - In a decisive move to restore order in Apaa, a contested land, the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) have imposed a curfew across the turbulent territories of Acholiber and Opuk, following a distressing increase in insurgency incidents within the beleaguered Apaa, situated in the Ukusijoui sub-county of Adjumani district.

This area has garnered attention as a focal point for militant activities, teetering on the brink of chaos.

Tragedy struck on March 27, 2025, when a group of unidentified assailants launched a brutal attack in Acholiber, resulting in the tragic deaths of two residents, Mwesigwa and Hamad Adui, aged 50.

In addition to the fatalities, two other individuals were gravely injured and are currently receiving medical care at Adjumanai Hospital, where the community holds its breath for their recovery.

During a critical joint security briefing held on April 3 at the Fourth Infantry Division headquarters in Gulu City, Major General Felix Busizoori, the commanding officer of the division, announced that the curfew would remain in place until stability and peace are restored to the region.

He further enacted a ban on the movement of individuals carrying bows and arrows—items the military has categorized as instruments of armed conflict.

The UPDF has pledged to track down and apprehend those responsible for the violence, including land brokers and key figures inciting unrest, and has completed a detailed list of individuals who are wanted for questioning.

It has been reported by the UPDF that the ongoing turmoil in Apaa is largely fueled by the exploitative charcoal trade and illicit land appropriation, primarily driven by external actors from neighboring countries looking to benefit from the region's resources.

Peter Data Taban, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Adjumani District, underlined the critical role of government lapses, such as the failures of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forestry Authority, which have intensified the crisis through poor land management practices, resulting in rampant encroachments and unauthorized land transactions.

Joseph Mwesige, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) for the North West Nile Region, observed a concerning shift in the area, which had remained largely peaceful throughout 2024 until hostility reignited in 2025.

He reaffirmed the police's commitment to tackling these burgeoning security threats with utmost resolve.

Samuel Assimwe, the RPC for the Aswa West region. (Credit: Christopher Nyeko)

Samuel Assimwe, the RPC for the Aswa West region, expressed his operational readiness, highlighting an ongoing coordination effort to apprehend those orchestrating the unrest.

He revealed that intelligence sources have already identified individuals financing and organizing attacks in Apaa.

During the previous year, 17 ringleaders from Adjumani district were detained by the 4th Infantry Division, interrogated thoroughly, and released only after committing to refrain from further criminal actions.

However, Major General Busizoori indicated that one individual connected to this group would soon be apprehended due to their continued involvement in illicit activities.

The military has also made it clear that it will resist any political pressures aimed at seeking the release of suspects following their arrest, vowing that even politicians who incite violence under the guise of land advocacy will face the full force of the law.

The UPDF highlighted that its operational effectiveness in Apaa has been significantly hampered by inadequate infrastructure. Saying the lack of well-connected roadways has severely limited the mobility of security forces, particularly in the more remote areas where assaults have occurred.

Taban revealed that efforts to facilitate road access have been thwarted, as repurposed pathways were exploited for the charcoal trade, forcing security forces to shut them down.

In response to the escalating threats, the UPDF plans to deploy a substantial force to Apaa and establish a forward-operating base, aiming to address and mitigate the ongoing security concerns.

Despite the initiative by the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) designed to strengthen community relations, public sensitization efforts have largely fallen flat due to the dispersed nature of the local settlements.

Similarly, the Uganda Police face challenges in community policing, primarily due to chronic manpower shortages, hampering their ability to effectively engage with residents.

In light of the continuing violence, Major General Busizoori has called upon President Museveni to activate the recently formed commission of inquiry into the situation in Apaa, suggesting that the commission's eventual findings could be crucial in resolving the lingering land disputes.

This five-member commission, led by retired Chief Justice Bart Katurebe, was sworn in by President Museveni on August 12, 2023, with a mandate to conduct a comprehensive investigation and recommend sustainable solutions to the long-standing Apaa conflict, which has been ongoing since 2012.