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Amuru, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Acholi leaders have threatened to pitch camp in the contested Apaa township between Adjumani and Amuru districts until the government finds a lasting solution to the land dispute in the area.
The resolution was arrived at on Monday during a joint consultative meeting of the leaders convened by Ker Kwaro Acholi (Acholi Cultural Foundation) to devise a mechanism to end the continued bloodshed between the Acholi and their neighbouring Madi community.
The leaders noted that the protracted conflict over Apaa that dates back to 2012 has been marred by insecurity, arbitrary killings, arrests, disappearances and displacements, affecting the livelihoods of the Acholi community, and that the government has not exhibited the will to end it.
Anthony Akol, the Acholi Parliamentary Group chairperson emphasized that the joint meeting has given government 14 days to resolve the Apaa land conflict or else they go camp there to show solidarity with the community.
Ambrose Olaa, the Prime Minister of the Ker Kwaro Acholi observed that the raging land conflicts, coupled with the invasion of Balalo pastoralists continue to undermine the recovery process of the post-conflict community and must be fought on all fronts.
The Deputy Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot Martin Otinga Otto Yai pointed out that the President made several pronouncements on the contested Apaa land which have never been implemented.
Rwot Otinga observed that the police personnel deployed at Juka outpost must be redeployed because they are headed by an in-charge who is Madi and is ordering arbitrary arrests of the Acholi community on tramped up charges.
Both the Acholi and Madi community claim ancestral ownership of the Apaa land that measures approximately 827 square miles. More than 20 people have been killed following deadly tribal clashes in the area since 2012.
In August, the Acholi MPs issued 14 days ultimatum to government to end tribal clashes in the contested area but to no avail. They also petitioned the government to investigate the second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali for persistently inciting violence resulting in the death of two residents, injuring scores and displacement of some families.
The land in question was gazetted as East Madi Game Reserve under Zoka Forest in 2012 by the Adjumani district council, a decision that sparked a border dispute between Adjumani district in West Nile and Amuru district in Acholi.
Research by Human Rights Focus shows that more than 840 homes were destroyed between late 2017 and June 2018 alone, as the communities faced off in conflict that has since taken an ethnic twist between the Madi and Acholi communities.
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