Acholi MPs demand explanation on security situation

Lawmakers in Acholi sub region have demanded an explanation from government on the security situation in the region in the wake of last Sunday's fatal shootings in Gulu town.

The shootings which claimed the lives of two people, including a police officer, Moses Masaba, have, according to Acholi lawmakers seen a wave of arrests.

The shootings in Gulu came less than two months after armed people attacked Opiti military detach and escaped with a number of guns.

In an interface with journalists at parliament on Wednesday, Acholi MPs, although making it explicitly clear that the region has turned a page on a dark chapter of insurgency which blighted it for two decades said it will be foolhardy for government to ignore the current rumblings.

"Acholi sub region has had enough suffering. We are not going to accept any more insurgencies again. Otherwise, we risk losing four generation of our people," Aswa County MP and chairperson Acholi parliamentary group, Reagan Okumu, said.

On account of what he labeled as "conflicting statements" by spokespersons of different security organs, Okumu made a case for government to engage the local leadership on the situation in Acholi, and "not let us seek for news on what is happening in our region from the media."

With MPs Leanda Komakech, Betty Aol Ocan, Gilbert Olanyah, Edward Otto, Lillian Adong, and Margaret Lamwaka in tow, Okumu said despite the return of peace in Acholi, the region remains latently restive citing a number of grievances ranging from land grabbing to cattle rustling in areas of Agago.

According to Adong, an individual whom she said has Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers for escorts has started  surveying land in the district, kicking five families from a huge tract of communal land.

However, Okumu was quick to point out that it's not the policy of UPDF as an institution to meddle in private land wrangles in Gulu.

The lawmakers also want all people that have been arrested over the recent shootings to be produced in court as required by the constitution, and spokespersons of different security bodies to desist from using incendiary language.

However, when asked to comment on allegations by Olanyah that the recent shootings in Gulu are part of efforts by governments to frame Acholi opposition politicians, Okumu was guarded.

However, according to him, it will not be farfetched "since already there is a precedent."

"We don't want to walk that road again and that is why we want to engage government. These attacks are not by internal Acholi elements," Okumu said.

However, government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, stridently knocked back insinuation of government attacking its own security installations just to frame opposition politicians.

"It seems elected Acholi MPs have never  ceased being spurious. When Kony started cutting people's lips, Acholi MPs said it was UPDF committing such horrendous acts.  What is surprising is that the new breed of Acholi politicians has still has the same mindset," Opondo told New Vision.