Koboko elders urge govt to intervene in border conflict
Apr 07, 2009
Cultural leaders and elders from Moyo and Koboko districts have asked the Government to avert a potentially bloody conflict at the Sudan border.
By Josephine Maseruka
Cultural leaders and elders from Moyo and Koboko districts have asked the Government to avert a potentially bloody conflict at the Sudan border.
Haji Sebbi Longa, an elder from Moyo, recently said the Southern Sudan government was claiming the border area of Bibia and had established a market at Elegu.
Speaking at the consultative meeting on the formulation of the national land policy at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, Longa said Sudan had claimed part of land in Bomure in Moyo.
He said the district had been stopped from constructing a road from Lefori to the border.
“If the governments of Uganda and Sundan do not convene a meeting to settle the matter amicably, there will be insecurity in the border areas,†Longa warned.
Tia Silas Aloonyu, an elder from Koboko, said there were conflicts on the Sudan border at Yumbe, Tereho and Maracha, which could turn bloody if not addressed immediately.
Aloonyu said before the conflicts, the Sudanese and Koboko residents were living in harmony. “We would like the Government to sensitise our people and discourage them from selling land to foreigners.
Another Koboko elder, Lucy Akulia Afulo, supported Aloonyu, saying the disagreements could lead to a civil war. Responding to the fears, the acting local government permanent secretary, Tom Matte, said the Government would soon draw permanent boundaries for Maracha and Terego.
“We have exhausted all administrative measures to settle the matter, but those people are very stubborn. We have, therefore, decided to draw permanent boundaries,†Matte explained.
Cultural leaders and elders from Moyo and Koboko districts have asked the Government to avert a potentially bloody conflict at the Sudan border.
Haji Sebbi Longa, an elder from Moyo, recently said the Southern Sudan government was claiming the border area of Bibia and had established a market at Elegu.
Speaking at the consultative meeting on the formulation of the national land policy at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, Longa said Sudan had claimed part of land in Bomure in Moyo.
He said the district had been stopped from constructing a road from Lefori to the border.
“If the governments of Uganda and Sundan do not convene a meeting to settle the matter amicably, there will be insecurity in the border areas,†Longa warned.
Tia Silas Aloonyu, an elder from Koboko, said there were conflicts on the Sudan border at Yumbe, Tereho and Maracha, which could turn bloody if not addressed immediately.
Aloonyu said before the conflicts, the Sudanese and Koboko residents were living in harmony. “We would like the Government to sensitise our people and discourage them from selling land to foreigners.
Another Koboko elder, Lucy Akulia Afulo, supported Aloonyu, saying the disagreements could lead to a civil war. Responding to the fears, the acting local government permanent secretary, Tom Matte, said the Government would soon draw permanent boundaries for Maracha and Terego.
“We have exhausted all administrative measures to settle the matter, but those people are very stubborn. We have, therefore, decided to draw permanent boundaries,†Matte explained.