The decision to block the operations of the group followed reports that members of the congregation had shunned the recently concluded Measles-Rubella and polio immunization exercise. It is alleged that the group mobilized their members to reject the exercise saying Jesus Christ was never immunized and registered by anyone.
The suspects are Isa Kabalye, Fredrick Mashate all residents of Kampala, Robin Ongu, Jimmy Awio, and Felix Amuku, all residents of Olilim Sub County in Otuke district.
They were arrested during the joint operation conducted by the are leaders in conjunction with local residents against those cutting shear Nut trees for charcoal burning.
Otuke district in Northern Uganda has experienced a dry spell since October 2018 until late March 2019 when the region received intermittent rainfall. The pattern affected planting seasons in 2018 and the beginning of 2019, leading to severe food shortages.
Otuke District Police Commander Edson Birema identified the suspects as Lumuge Teko, 25, Nathlineora Linga, 29, Napathia Apakareli, 29, and Apajiwai Kiyonga, 32, all from Kotido district. The suspects are now held at Otuke Central Police Station on charges of theft.
They were arrested by UPDF Soldiers from 405 Brigade based at Nakapelemoru Sub County in Kotido and handed over to Otuke District Security authority headed by the Resident District Commissioner, Robert Abak .
Prosecution alleges that Otyama mobilized hundreds of local residents armed with spears and pangas to attack 10 Karimojong herdsmen who had been herding their animals within Olilim Sub County.
Joseph Okello, a resident of Angaro village in Olilim Sub County, says they are at risk of losing their animals once the herdsmen are allowed to enter the district.
This follows disclosures that a herdsman identified as Francis Kiiza had secretly returned into the district with about 46 animals and camped in Olilim Sub County, where, according to residents, he was hosted by some areas leaders.
The officers are alleged to have waylaid unidentified Kampala based businessman in Otuke town council on April 2nd, 2018 and confiscated his 200 bags of charcoal in transit to Kampala.
The 4-acre Barlegi farm has an acre dedicated to coffee, another for fruits, the third acre for family food growing and the fourth acre dedicated to grass farming for zero grazing dairy cows. On the same farm, the president has a borehole which is being used for irrigation during dry weather conditions.
Patrick Onyanga, the Otuke District Forestry officer says they have continued registering massive cutting of shear nut trees for charcoal burning since the resolution was passed.
Police in Otuke district are investigating circumstances under which a businessman was shot dead, and two others including a parish NRM chairperson were injured by unknown assailants.
Although Okwenye maintains that the project was well intentioned, Quinto Ojok, the Otuke council speaker says the decision has entirely been rejected by the residents. He also described the project as irrelevant.
The government has secured a total of over 400 million shillings to tarmac roads in Otuke district. This is the first time government is moving to tarmac roads in in the area since July 2009 when Otuke was curved out of Lira district.
There is excitement in Otuke as government moves to connect the district onto the national electricity grid through the Rural Electrification Program. The two-billion-shilling project will extend power from Apala in Alebtong district, through Otuke up to Abim district.
A joint meeting between Lango Parliamentary Group and the leadership of Otuke district has come up with resolutions on the now controversial plan to establish a District Stock Farm in Atira parish, Olilim Sub-county. In December 2010, President Museveni wrote to Benson Ogwang, the Otuke district chairperson and Anent Okwenye, the Woman Member of Parliament requesting for land to set up a cattle farm.
Pregnant mothers were among hundreds of residents of Alango village, Adwari Sub County in Otuke district, who celebrated on Thursday following the reopening of a health Center II.
