Authorities in Yumbe district have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the border dispute with its neighbors. Yumbe district was curved out of Arua district in 2002. However, Yumbe is embroiled in border disputes with Arua, Koboko and the neighboring South Sudan. Yasin Taban, the LC 5 chairman Yumbe district says unless the president intervene the ongoing border dispute will affect service delivery to the citizens living in the disputed area.
Some of the areas have been affected because of clashes between residents of the warring districts. Such clashes have occurred in Itula in Moyo, Ewanga in Arua and Ludara in Koboko district. He says despite the fact that people in the affected areas are not natives from his district; the areas are under the jurisdiction of Moyo. He explains that an inter-ministerial committee that was set up by the Prime minister in 2004, found the areas within the boundaries of Moyo.
He says they want the President to direct the neighboring districts to stop interfering in the affairs of Yumbe because the long standing border conflicts is affecting the delivery of key services like education and health. However, leaders of the other districts maintain the disputed areas belong within their jurisdiction.
Andrew Kajoing, Moyo district LC 5 vice chairperson says the decision by Yumbe leaders to petition the President it will not change the border. He says the areas such as Kali and other parts of Ewanga belong to Moyo not Yumbe adding people in Yumbe are claiming the areas just because the settlers there are Aringa’s.
He says it would be better if the Global Position System (GPS) is used to determine where the disputed areas are other than leaders inciting people to attack each other. Meanwhile their counterparts in Arua led by area councilor for Rigbo sub county Stephen Arubaku says Ewanga that is been claimed by leaders in Yumbe belongs to Arua.
He says that area was even put under Arua under the recent elections. He says suspects that people in Yumbe are claiming Ewanga because of reports that there is oil in the area. Early this year, a group of Aringa youth raided Kali area in Moyo and beat up residents. 12 suspects were arrested in connection to the attack and are standing trial in Moyo court.
