Unresolved Apaa land conflict concerns Acholi religious leaders

By Christopher Nyeko

Gulu: Religious leaders in Northern Uganda, under their umbrella body, the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), are concerned about the unresolved land conflict in Apaa.

The land in question is being claimed by the Acholi community of Amuru and the Madi people of Ajumanai district.

Religious leaders have described Apaa land conflict as chronic conflict and thus appealed to the judicial commission of inquiry constituted by President Yoweri Museveni last year (2023) to expedite their functions for the betterment of the affected society.

The five-member commission, led by retired Chief Justice Bart Katurebe, was officially sworn in by President Museveni on August 12, 2023, and was tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation and devising a durable resolution for the Apaa conflict that has dragged on since 2012.

Archbishop Dr. John Baptist Odama, the Chairperson of ARLPI, says in their statement that they are eagerly waiting for the report of the judicial commission entrusted with the fact-finding or solution to the issues of Apaa so that the government can pronounce itself once and for all.

ARLPI regretted the innocent lives that continue to perish at the watch of people, stressing that people should rise up in unity to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

They, however, appeal to the unknown assailants who continue to kill innocent people in Apaa to stop and bring to light their interest so that it can be addressed, but they also urge the armed forces deployed in Apaa to act ethically and professionally in doing their work so that innocent lives can be saved.

On many occasions, people in Apaa have faulted the security forces for their laxity which left them being attacked in the presence of the security by armed assassins.

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