President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized that the most effective solution and approach to address the longstanding conflict over the Apaa land, which is claimed by both Amuru and Adjumani districts, is the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. The commission, led by retired Chief Justice Bart Katurebe and comprising five members, was officially sworn in by President Museveni last month. The primary objective of this commission is to conduct a comprehensive investigation and devise a durable resolution for the conflict that originated in 2012.
Addressing a gathering of numerous attendees in Gulu City on Saturday, President Museveni noted the significance of the Commission of Inquiry in unearthing the truth behind the land dispute and identifying those responsible for the outbreak of violence. The President presided over the closing ceremony of a three-day prayer event named “Light Up Acholi land for Jesus,” which was organized by Patience Rwabwogo, the first daughter and lead pastor of Covenant Nations Church.
He noted that although previous attempts involving various individuals to lead investigations into the Apaa matter yielded limited results, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, composed of esteemed judges, is best suited to wield the authority of a court and ascertain the truth. President Museveni’s remarks followed a statement from Grace Freedom Kwiyucwyiny, the State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, regarding the recent resurgence of violence in Apaa.
Four individuals lost their lives, and four others sustained critical injuries in an assault by unidentified assailants. The incident occurred on a Wednesday morning in Te-okono village, Apaa Township, where a group of around one hundred men, suspected to be Madi tribesmen, carried out the attack.
President Museveni responded to the situation by asserting that those responsible for the attacks and disturbances in Apaa will not escape justice. He reiterated that the boundary dispute had already been settled with reference to the colonial map, which clearly designates Apaa land within the confines of Adjumani district. He emphasized that although the land is disputed, anyone is entitled to reside on it without hindrance.
President Museveni announced his intention to task the commission members with immediate action to counter the misinformation propagated by politicians, to validate the identities of individuals brought to occupy the land, and to identify those who have incited violence. He revealed that the government possesses satellite images predating the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgencies, which depict the number of households at that time. These images will serve as a basis to verify legitimate claimants of the land.
A section of legislators from the Acholi Sub-region, united under the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG), condemned the attack and criticized the security forces for their perceived negligence. Anthony Akol, the Kilak North legislator and chairperson of the APG, told journalists during a press briefing that despite local leaders’ alerts about the encroachment of armed locals, security personnel deliberately refrained from intervening.
Akol disclosed that roughly one hundred men equipped with clubs, machetes, bows, and arrows were observed camping in the area for a week, but security forces did not respond to the situation. As the APG, Akol outlined seven critical demands presented to the government. These demands must be addressed within a two-week timeframe, failing which the group threatens to boycott parliamentary duties and mobilize local communities for self-protection.
The demands include augmenting security deployment with new commanders, apprehending perpetrators of violence, unconditionally releasing Apaa residents detained on unfounded charges, and providing both non-food and food relief to affected locals. The list also encompasses the recruitment of ten home guards in each of the 36 parishes in Apaa to enhance local protection, transferring administrative jurisdiction of Apaa to the central government, and advocating for the degazettement of Apaa.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, Bardege-Layibi Division Legislator, asserted that the recurrent attacks on the Apaa populace are a deliberate strategy aimed at demeaning the Acholi people. He expressed incredulity that security personnel would overlook calls from locals regarding a group of armed men, implying a potential orchestrated arrangement. He called for an immediate investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for the situation.
Additionally, the legislators demanded that the government offer compensation to the families of the four individuals who lost their lives in the recent attacks. They also urged the government to cover the medical expenses for those injured and currently receiving treatment at Mungula Health Center IV and St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor.
According to local leaders, a total of 29 fatalities and around 300 injuries have occurred in clashes related to the Apaa land dispute since 2012.
Museveni Advocates For Judicial Commission of Inquiry as Essential Path to Resolving Apaa Land Conflict
