{UAH} Five injured, 2,000 stranded in Apaa land eviction
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Five injured, 2,000 stranded in Apaa land eviction
FRIDAY JANUARY 25 2019
Stranded. Locals camp at Juka Trading Centre after being attacked from the villages of Goro B and Juka in Apaa Parish on Wednesday. PHOTO BY TOBBIAS OWINY
In Summary
Last year, President Museveni put in place a committee headed by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to resolve Apaa disputes, however, nothing has been resolved as both Adjumani and Amuru leaders accuse each other of operating in secrecy
Five people were on Wednesday evening admitted to Lacor Hospital after they were attacked at Goro B Village in Apaa, Amuru District.
Among the victims are Mr Ronald Tibingana and Mr Matia Musisi who were axed while herding animals.
The attacks follow a week of escalated attacks on residents of Goro B and Juka villages in Apaa by men armed with spears, arrows, bows, knives and axes.
The locals allege that the attackers belong to the Madi-speaking community of Adjumani District.
According to Ms Emily Laker, a nurse at Lacor Hospital's emergency unit, the pair who are from Wakiso District, are currently in stable condition.
"They both sustained compound fractures and they are scheduled for the theatre this evening in order to manage their condition. The other three had cuts and injuries but they are also on treatment," Ms Laker said.
"They aimed at my neck by I dived and one of them cut my leg off before I could get up to run. I didn't know what they want and they kept laughing while I cried for help," Mr Tibingana said.
In revenge, an unidentified resident from Adjumani, who was on a motorcycle was waylaid and attacked between Juka and Apaa Trading Centre by locals who destroyed his bicycle.
Meanwhile, at least 2,100 people are stranded and have pitched camp at Juka Trading Centre after they were forced out of their homes on the controversial Apaa land.
The desperate locals have established temporary structures as they await their next destination.
The locals were chased out of Apaa land which is claimed by both locals in Amuru and Adjumani districts.
Ms Veronica Akello, a resident of Goro B who has taken refuge at the camp told Daily Monitor in an interview on Wednesday that the attackers set ablaze her hut.
Mr Abraham Opiru, father of seven and a resident of Juka Village, who survived with a cut on his arm and head, said: "We have nothing to feed our children here."
Mr Bosco Atube, LC1 chairman of Juka village said that his office has so far computed more than 2,000 people.
"The number of those displaced could even triple in the next few days because more people are coming here," Mr Atube said.
"If you resist to flee, they cut or kill you. They loot the house items before burning it, and after burning, they break the blocks and use it to construct new makeshift structures for themselves to settle," he added.
Mr Atube said apart from the Madi, they have been able to identify the Lugbara, Kakwa, Aringa speakers.
On Wednesday alone, 14 huts were looted and burnt down bringing the number of huts burnt in the area to 489 in just two months, he noted.
Mr Christopher Odongkara, the Paboo LC3 chairperson told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview that the district officials have already sent a team on the ground to ascertain the number of those affected.
When contacted, both the UPDF 4th Division spokesman, Capt Lawrence Draga and commander Col Bonny Bamwiseki could not be reached for comments.
However, the Adjumani District Police Commander, Mr Ahmed Seguya, confirmed that police was aware that those displaced are Acholis.
Mr Seguya noted that it had become difficult for police to ensure law and order since complainants from Acholi were failing to cooperate with police through recording statements.
He, however, said they have beefed up police deployment in the area.
Last year, President Museveni put in place a committee headed by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to resolve Apaa dispute, however there has nothing being resolved yet as both Adjumani and Amuru leaders accuse each other of operating in secrecy.
The last mediation meeting chaired by Dr Rugunda between Acholi and Madi leaders in December did not yield any fruit although it directed for cessation of hostilities and that no more evictions be carried out.
Developments
Five people were on Wednesday evening admitted at Lacor Hospital after they were attacked at Goro B Village in Apaa, Amuru District.
Mr Ronald Tibingana's right foot was ripped off while Mr Matia Musisi was cut in the femur during the attack that occurred while they were herding animals.
According to Ms Emily Laker, a nurse at Lacor hospital's emergency unit where the victims were admitted, the pair who are from Wakiso district are currently in stable condition.
"They both sustained compound fractures and they are scheduled for the theatre this evening in order to manage their condition. The other three had cuts and injuries but they are also on treatment," Ms Laker said.
In revenge, an unidentified resident from Madi side who was rifing on a motorcycle was waylaid and attacked between Juka and Apaa Trading Centre by locals (Acholis) who demolished his bicycle.
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