According to security reports, the revenge attacks that happened between Sunday and Wednesday last week left at least three refugees from the clans of Boul and Fangak under the Nuer tribe dead.
Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner, disclosed that four days ago, they received distressing calls from the suspects, claiming to be abductees, demanding ransoms.
One of the recovered bodies belonges to David Opoka, who was reported missing on Monday evening after being shot in the head by armed attackers while tending to his land in Lelabur village within the same sub-county. Opoka was accompanied by the slain LC1 chairperson during the attack.
According to James Okema, a local businessman, the four victims had left their homes on Sunday afternoon to tend to their garden in Lelabur Village when they were ambushed by the armed assailants.
John Bosco Kyaligonza, the Refugee Desk Officer for Lamwo District revealed that they are currently transporting the refugees to other refugee settlements in Arua and Adjumani where there are still available spaces.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Munir Safieldin, the UNICEF Representative to Uganda said the project will benefit selected 20,000 children in refugee settlements in four districts in Northern Uganda.
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Hillary Onek Obaloker however says the country isn’t receiving the resources that match the progressive model yet its hosting the highest numbers of refugees.
The objective of the resource center is to provide space for a mindset change for refugees to adopt harmonious and peaceful lifestyles even when they return to their home countries. Rwot Odongtoo observed that most refugees, particularly their leaders, engage in unlawful activities, a culture they continue to practice even after seeking asylum.
The goal is to address and mitigate human rights abuses, conflicts, and challenges with essential social services along the border, which greatly affect refugees and host communities.
Jacky Acan, the LCV Councilor of Palabek Abera Sub County, revealed that armed men have been in the area for some time and their presence is causing fear among the locals.
Tito Otiri, the Secretary for Production for Palabek Gem Sub County says that dozens of farmers have reported cases of the diseases to his office seeking an intervention.
Robert Opira Odit, the Councilor representing Madi Opei Town Council told URN that last week armed Sudanese rustlers attacked traders in the area, and shot and killed one before walking away with a herd of cattle.
Tonny Okeny, an eye witness, says the injury of the accident victim prompted a section of his relatives from Pobura clan to mobilize and revenge against the members of Pobira clan where they torched twelve huts and destroyed household property worth millions of shillings.
Rwamirama said even if the government has leased the ranches all over the country, it is to produce oil seed crops to feed the oil and soap industries.
While addressing the Lamwo district authorities and project contractors at the district headquarters, the World Bank Mission Development Specialist Mission Stephen Ajalu, said that they are impressed by the progress of the works.
The outbreak of the disease was reported in the Refugee Reception Centre in Lokung Sub County and the Palabek Refugee settlement which is home to over 65,000 refugees from South Sudan. According to the acting District Health Officer Dr Denis Ocula, at least 50 cases turned positive for measles, 30 of which have already been discharged and 11 are still hospitalized.
The Chief Administrative Officer Francis Majjeme says Akena’s case is too complex and criminal in nature since during his interdiction it was discovered that he forged documents and signatures of his accounting officer and withdrew 14 million Shillings from the sub-county bank accounts.
The Padibe town council speaker Godwill Onen who also doubles as the chairperson of Lawmo Sub County Leaders Forum says the councilors from the 9 affected Sub Counties and 2 town councils were being told to receive only 158,000 shillings instead of 420,000.
