{UAH} Five residents shot over Amuru land wrangle - National

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Five-residents-shot-over-Amuru-land-wrangle/-/688334/2863166/-/12guxit/-/index.html

Five residents shot over Amuru land wrangle - National

Amuru. Five people were yesterday seriously injured in clashes with security forces as they protested the opening of boundaries in Apaa parish, Paboo Sub-county, Amuru District.
The injured include Mr Felix Tabia Opiyo, 26, Mr Jacob Jenaro Okumu, Mr Gabriel Komakech, Ms Grace Aciro and another unidentified male. They have been admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Lacor.
Dr Cyprian Opira, the hospital executive director, said some of the injured had bullet wounds and two had their hands amputated.

Locals speak out
Residents told Daily Monitor that security personnel surrounded Apaa parish, preventing anyone from entering or exiting, making it difficult for medics to remove the injured who were still hiding in the bush.
Mr Opiyo, a resident who sustained injuries on his right hand, said civilians were shot at indiscriminately by the army and police officers.
"At mid-day when people had gathered in Apaa Trading Centre, a group of armed men comprising soldiers and police officers started chasing them away from the area. The chase was facilitated by live bullet shots, teargas," Mr Opiyo said.
Mr Okumu, who was also shot in the right hand, said the soldiers shot him as he tried to take pictures of the security personnel beating people.
Residents are contesting the opening of boundaries of a 40-square kilometre land in Apaa parish, claimed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Amuru and Adjumani districts.

HALT AMURU LAND SURVEY, OPPOSITION TELLS GOVERNMENT

The Opposition has demanded that the ongoing survey and demarcation of the border between Amuru and Adjumani districts be stopped.
Under their coalition, The Democratic Alliance (TDA), the Opposition claims government is using heavy-handed methods to evict people from Apaa Sub-county which they said does not bode well for sustainable peace.
"Any attempt at a unilateral process of survey and boundary opening should be halted," acting TDA chairperson Wasswa Biriggwa said in a statement in Kampala yesterday.
"A meeting of government representatives, leaders from Adjumani and Amuru districts should be convened to clarify the issues of contention and provide an initiation platform for dialogue," Mr Biriggwa added.
Democratic Party president Norbert Mao said the Amuru land conflict is between the interests of the people and the interests of the profit seekers.

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