Open Letter to President Museveni on the Apaa Land Crisis

By Amanya Abdu
Aspirant, Northern Uganda Youth MP 2026

Apaa, Uganda: The blood of the people in Apaa cries out for justice — a haunting reminder of the Government’s failure to protect peaceful and loyal citizens. For over 14 years, this land crisis has remained unresolved, and now, in its wake, we are mourning gruesome murders executed by a terrorist militia that marched undetected across a UPDF brigade base. This reveals a chilling truth: our security apparatus was either complacent or complicit.

We expected a bold response from the Ministry of Northern Uganda and the Ministry of Security. Yet to this day, the responsible line ministries remain disturbingly silent — no condemnation, no reassurance, no apology. No reparations have been promised, no rehabilitation planned, and no concrete prosecutions initiated, even as threats of renewed militia attacks loom.

The citizens of Apaa, relaxing in their humble huts, faithfully believed that Uganda’s robust national security and intelligence network would safeguard them. But this faith was betrayed. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 4th Division, the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT), and the Uganda Police Force — all pillars of a security system that consumes the lion’s share of our national budget — failed spectacularly in their constitutional duty to preserve life and property.

How did armed terrorists bypass a UPDF brigade unnoticed?
Why were sleeping villagers not warned?

The swift deployment of UPDF troops to South Sudan on March 11, 2025, stands in stark contrast to the state’s years-long reluctance to address the crisis in Apaa. This festering wound has endured through countless promises, commissions, and inquiries — all forgotten under the weight of political indifference.

This is not the first time the Madi are mourning their dead. The cycle of bloodshed is as predictable as the dawn. This continued betrayal of trust is not only a violation of human rights, but a direct contravention of Uganda’s Constitution and international law.

We, therefore, make the following appeals on behalf of the people of Apaa and the broader Madi community:

1. An Independent Public Inquiry: Constituted by patriotic civilians — not the very officers who failed in their duty. Their involvement would compromise the integrity of the process. Let truth guide the report to Parliament.
2. Accountability: The commanders of the 4th Division, Zoka Brigade, and all relevant security agencies must be held responsible for negligence.
3. Justice and Reparations: The victims of this atrocity deserve more than silence. Reparations must be paid, public apologies issued, and rehabilitation programs initiated.
4. Concrete Security Measures: A clear, actionable, and publicly communicated plan must be put in place to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.

The Madi people are not expendable. If the state cannot protect us, must we then become vigilantes to survive?

Your Excellency, Uganda’s peace and security mean nothing when innocent citizens are butchered under your watch. This silence in the face of slaughter dishonors your legacy. We urge you to act now — before Apaa becomes a permanent stain on Uganda’s conscience.

Yours in anguish and hope,
Amanya Abdu
Aspirant, Northern Uganda Youth MP 2026
Concerned Citizen