Adjumani, (UG):- The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees; Eng. Hillary Onek has described as “stupidity” the long dragging conflict in Apaa calling for the immediate caseation of hostilities since the Acholi’s and Madis have co-existed harmoniously for centuries
“Apaa issue is a “stupidity” and those causing issues in the area must shut up because they do not know what they are up to, there is no reason for the two related tribes to fight over land in Apaa”.
Eng. Hillary Onek was on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, officiating during the launch of the UNFPA funded, Strengthening Adolescence and Youth Empowerment (SAY)Program whose theme is, “Improving sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in refugees’ settlements and host communities in Acholi and west Nile sub-regions” at Aragan Hotel in Adjumani town council.
He disclosed to the attentively listening audience including the ambassador of the Royal Danish Government Her Excellency Signe Winding Albjerg and the UNFPA country representative in Uganda among other dignitaries that his grandmother (The mother of his father) comes from the Adjumani district wondering how he (Eng. Hillary Onek) can indulge in a fight with his uncles the Madi people?
“In Palabay my home area there is a parish which is predominantly inhabited by the Madi society and the mother of the Chief of Atyak in Amuru district is also a Madi Am therefore, advising those encouraging war between the two sister tribes to stop henceforth” Eng. Hillary Onek warned.
The statement of Eng. Hillary Onek follows a tough statement delivered by Adjumani district chairman Mr. Anyama Ben who cautioned the officials of the National Population Council (NPPC)against sneaking to Apaa to carry out a population census without briefing the leadership of Adjumani district since Apaa lies in the shadow of political machinations and gimmicks by leaders in Acholi.
“During the NRM membership registration which took place last month (March)the Secretary-General (SG)Mr. Todwong Richard used his office and created an illegal sub-county, with parishes and villages, and carried out illegal registration in Apaa which is a bad precedence”. Mr. Anyama said.
Today as I leave this hotel premises I want an explanation from you the technical officers from the National Population Council, you must allay our fears because the SG Mr. Todwong almost escalated fresh conflict in the area which would have been unfortunate and detrimental to the innocent lives.
Mr. Anyama said he was making the statement as the district chairman Adjumani and any illegal activity in Apaa will be carried over his dead body since the land is under his jurisdiction and would not entertain any form of intimidation.
In a recent meeting that was convened by NRM Party branch chairman Adjumani Mr Oloya Jackson to discuss the illegal registration of NRM members in the Apaa area, NRM leaders accused the SG Mr. Todwong and his elder brother Gen.Charles Otema Awany of plotting to grab Apaa and neighbouring public land in Adjumani in fulfilment of their dream of political supremacy in Acholi sub-region.
Mr. Oloya Jackson who doubles as district speaker Adjumani said, he was perturbed to learn that SG Todwong unilaterally created a sub-county called Apaa in Adjumani with 18, parishes and 37 villages and went ahead registering 13,000 NRM members a move which he dubbed as “arrogant and selfish”.
Mr. Todwong would not respond repeated to telephones and WhatsApp messages seeking comment but according to the district chairman Mr. Anyama, he later received a telephone call from SG Todwong and termed their discussion as cordial but insisted voting for NRM primaries would only take place in Apaa after the last Madi standing is down.
Apaa land conflict that started after relative peace returned to northern Uganda in 2006 has dragged on till now, government efforts to settle the dispute have failed as the matter has been heavily politicized coupled with the natural resources in the Wildlife Reserve and Zoka Central Forest reserve.
President Yoweri Museveni commissioned a Judicial Commission of Enquiry in April 2023, to investigate the conflict and come up with a report for implementation by the government by the government but the 6 months time frame allocated to the Commission has expired without performing any duty.
The president told Ugandans that the best solution to the Apaa conflict was the Judicial Commission of Enquiry this was after the infamous February 2023, Kaunda grounds declaration in Gulu city where he overturned the cabinet decision calling for evictions of the illegal settlers in Apaa.
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