WEST NILE, UGANDA: President Yoweri Museveni has told the leaders from the West Nile sub-region that the long standing land conflict in Apaa will be resolved by facts but not sentiments, numerical strength and positions leaders are holding in government.
The president was yesterday, September 2, 2021, meeting a cross-section of leaders from West Nile at state house Entebbe where they elaborately discussed the long-standing land feud in Apaa.
The high-level delegation of West Nile leaders was led by Hon Atima Jackson MP for Arua Central Division, who also doubles as regional government whip for West Nile.
The chairman west Nile development association (WENDA) Anyama Williams who attended the meeting today told journalists that the leaders of west Nile submitted 8 paged documents to the president that was presented by the Adjumani woman MP Ababiku Jesca and the document majorly touched on Apaa land conflict and four other areas.
Anyama said the meeting with the president follows the meeting held between the president and Acholi leaders which according to west Nile leaders distorted facts on record and aimed at frustrating the ongoing process of bringing peace to the area.
The documents submitted to the president include; The 2020, report of the select committee of parliament on Apaa, the report of Tom Butime then minister of local government 2018, the report of Chris Baryomunsi then state Minister of housing 2017. The report of the former minister of Wildlife tourism and antiquates all indicating that Apaa is in Adjumani district.
The president promised to have the land conflict in Apaa resolved in an amicable manner and in December 2021 he also pledged to convene another meeting between the leaders of West Nile and Acholi sub-region to kick start the process.
Apart from the Apaa issue, the president also affirmed his commitment to transform the region by supporting the establishment of a demonstration farm to help people venture into commercial farming.
The others issues include; The road infrastructure in the region, notably, the road networks in Obongi, Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Afoji road stretch that crosses to South Sudan.
Nebbi –Goli, Zombo road stretch and the security road that runs from along the River Nile belt from Panyimur, Pakwach Madi Okollo, Obongi and Dufile in Moyo that joins the Nile to South Sudan, this special road was captured in the NRM manifesto of 2021 to 2026.
The west Nile leaders also presented to the president the need to expeditiously upgrade Arua airfield to an international standard the upgrading of the airfield has been long overdue according to the leaders.
West Nile Ministers who were part of the meeting are; Dr.Joyce Moriku Kaduchu, state minister for primary education, Hon.Uleru Huda state minister for security veteran affairs, Hon.Grace K Freedom state minister for Northern Uganda.
The Adjumani district chairman Anyama Ben, district speaker Oloya Jackson, the Madi paramount chief Drani Stephen and Pakele clan chief Suru-Baru Simon also attended the vital state house meeting.
The Apaa land conflict started escalating after relative peace returned to the area following the over 20 year’s insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army of Kony Joseph which caused massive displacements.
As the various Internally Displace Peoples camps in Acholi sub region were disbanded people started resettling on idle land regardless of the customary ownership, unfortunately others ignorantly decided to settle in parts of East Madi Wild Life Reserve that includes; Apaa and Lakang areas among others.
It is also not in dispute that all the reports submitted to the president scientifically shows Apaa center is 8 kilometers deep inside Adjumani distri
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