The UPDF Fourth Infantry Division Commander Brig. Bonny Bamwiseki says increased vigilance, patrols, and ambushes will help to trap perpetrators and curb looming violence from occurring.
UPDF soldiers on high alert in Apaa trading center folowing the visit of the Fourth Infantry Division Commander Brig. Bonny Bamwiseki on Wednesday January 26 2022.
The Army has
committed to maximizing security vigilance, patrols in the disputed Apaa land to
avert escalation of tension among the communities of Acholi and Madi.
This comes a
week after clashes between the two communities in Ngora Village in Mungula
Parish, Adjumani District left two dead and two others with severe injuries.
The deceased and victims of the brutal clashes are all from the Madi community.
The UPDF Fourth Infantry Division Commander Brig. Bonny Bamwiseki says
increased vigilance, patrols, and ambushes will help to trap perpetrators and
curb looming violence from occurring.
Brig. Bamwiseki condemned last week’s attacks saying the perpetrators will be
brought to books.
Addressing
the Acholi and Mad community separately on Wednesday in Apaa trading centre and
Nyabila Trading centre, Brig. Bamwiseki says the army will ensure peace
prevails in the area.
//Cue in;
“Mine is to…
Cue out…are
patrolling concurrently.”//
He however
notes that whereas the army will bolster security, the vast nature of the land
still poses a hurdle for deployment and urged locals to be vigilant in areas
they move to. Brig.
Bamwiseki also urged local leaders and community members on the disputed land
to preach peace and unity instead of fanning violence that leads to the loss of
lives and grievous harm.
//Cue in; “I
will not…
Cue out…overpowered
these ones.”//
But during
the separate meetings, both the Acholi and Madi communities residing in the
contentious Apaa area accused UPDF soldiers and police officers of taking sides
with criminal groups to influence violence.
Savior
Nyandra, a resident of Aliwara village in Mungula Parish alleges that the
police and army personnel deployed on the ground only help them when they are
given money. He adds that
many times the security personnel have been bribed to offer protection to
criminals who burn down their huts and destroy crops in the gardens.
//Cue in; “This police and…
Cue out…of
the money.”//
Nyandra adds
that high-ranking officers in the army and police are currently busy engaging
in illegal logging in the Zoka forest and have abandoned their duties of ensuring
the safety of the communities from unknown attackers. He says in
most cases if they complain about the ills of the security personnel, they are
instead threatened or arrested and tortured.
//Cue in; “first they go…
Cue out…they are working.”//
Bosco Oryem, a resident of Apaa trading centre on the other hand also accuses
the police and army of taking sides with their counterparts from the Madi
community.
Oryem alleges that recently, hundreds of people from the Madi community were
forcefully ferried to occupy land in Zoka C village backed by orders from one
of the high-ranking army officers.
Luo//Cue in;
“Inino dwe pyeraryo…
Cue
out:…bino I lum.”//
Oryem also
reiterates that security officers are receiving bribes and engaging in illegal
logging in the disputed area. He alleges that one of the army officers was in
December last year rewarded with two goats for a “job well done” in ensuring
occupation of the Madi community in one of the contentious areas.
Luo
//Cue in;
“ci gin ma…
Cue
out…oimiyo bot juni."//
Brig.
Bamwiseki says the matter will be investigated and has since tasked the Fourth
Infantry Division Intelligence officer to dig deep into the matter. He however
cautioned the two communities to desist from further waging attacks in revenge. Two people
have so far been arrested in connection to the recent attacks and are being
interrogated at Zoka Police station.
