Gulu, (UG): Members of Acholi Parliamentary Group, clan chiefs and hundreds of protestors this morning (Saturday 9th) joined the Paramount Chief Rwot of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II to match to Apaa in solidarity over the gruesome that happened a week ago.
While starting his journey to Apaa David Onen Acana II said it is very disturbing when he is calling for justice and respect for the rights of people being killed in Apaa, some are diverting it into the matter of district boundary.
The MPs led by Kilak North MP, Hon Anthony Akol who is also the chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group thronged the Chief’s palace saying ‘Enough is enough’ to the repeated killing of the Acholi People who are living in Apaa.
Another MP, Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South) says the move is to mourn with people whose family members were killed in Apaa with impunity.
“We are walking from KKA via Gulu City to Pabbo and straight to Apaa. On reaching Apaa we may take a couple of days in Apaa. We are not happy as Acholi,” said Hon Olanya
Hon Onekalit Denis Amere, the MP for Kitgum Municipality while speaking to journalists at Ker Kwaro Acholi in Gulu City emphasised that the government that should have protected the lives of its people is instead encouraging the killing.
“It’s very terrible. But as an MP and people of Acholi, we have said enough is enough and today we have decided to move in solidarity in protest of what is happening in Apaa,” he said.
What exactly happened?
On the night of August 30th four people were killed by suspected organised armed civilians. A yet-to-be-confirmed information alleged that the attackers numbered about 100 people armed with machetes, bows and arrows, clubs, and spears attacked residents of Bedmot and Lala villages.
At least 34 houses were burnt, and several household belongings including food stuff, and livestock were reportedly destroyed by suspected attackers believed to have come from inside Adjumani district.
According to Hon Santa Okot, MP Aruu south in Pader district, 29 people have so far been killed gruesomely in Apaa since the dispute over the land started in 2012.
Last week Rwot David Onen Acana II released a public pronouncement calling upon the Government to provide justice to the people of Acholi and rallied peace lovers to join him in walking in protest to Apaa.
“Continued harming of people, destruction of property and taking of life is barbaric and a show of intolerance and impunity on the side of the perpetrators of Apaa conflict. It makes the people of Acholi and Apaa lose hope in the Commission of Inquiry and the government to protect the rights of our people,” the letter read in parts. “
Museveni’s Instituted Commission of Inquiry
President Museveni recently commissioned a Commission of Inquiry into the controversial Apaa conflict. The commission led by Rtd Justice Bert Katureebe is mandated to investigate and give recommendations into the matter.
However, the same Commission of Inquiry is in the spotlight for being disrespected by the perpetrators of killing in Apaa, according to Rwot Onen Acan II.
Last week while closing a prayer crusade organized by her daughter Pastor Patience Rwabogo dubbed ‘Light Up Acholi Land’, Mr Museveni faulted politicians for escalating the conflict in Apaa.
“It doesn’t matter where the boundary is, whether in Acholi, Adjumani, or Moyo. The constitution allows Ugandans to live anywhere. We will review the colonial map of the area,” the President said.
A couple of days ago, the office of the cultural office-Lopirogo of Madi released a letter calling upon people to desist from organizing demonstrations in Apaa for fear of inciting people more violent.
The letter in part read thus; “For as much as incidents are regrettable, it is important for any society to listen to the voice of reason in such times as this as demonstration should always be guided by facts and must be free of further incitement of yet more violence to the peaceful community that has the propensity to escalate into even more violence and the loss of more lives and property.”
Apaa is located approximately 90 km (approximately 2-3 hours drive) in the Amuru district Northwest of Gulu City.
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