Patrick Acaye digging new pit latrine after the old one was demolished by UWA during their recent attack in Apaa.
Apaa parish, Amuru District, Madi and Uganda Wildlife Authority are sitting on volcano lover, despite Dictator Museveni re-appointing Jacob Oulanyah, Deputy House Speaker as a new Team on a fact finding on Apaa.
AMURU-UGANDA: Friday May 24th 2019, there was heavy downpour in Gulu City from 4.00Am till 8.00Am. Northern Uganda Media Center Journalists could not show up for the planned media tour to Apaa.
However, Gladys Oroma, the author Okumu Langol, John Muto and Charles Akena, dared to show up at the NUMEC office by 6:30am despite the heavy downpour.
At 9.45am, 15 journalists departed on 80 kilometer tour for Apaa village an epic center of conflict between Acholi and Madi communities, a conflict that have claimed dozens of lives since the aftermath of Northern Uganda conflict.
By 11.15am, the team successfully reached Apaa Market which three weeks ago, was a no go area for the people of Acholi Community. On that fateful Friday, it was easy for anyone from Amuru District to go to the market without being checked at the check point of Apaa Junction, 7 kilometers to the Market. There was excitement in Apaa by the time we arrived, amidst mists of drizzling.
Unfortunately, our excitement was cut short when we disembarked from the vehicle. Uganda Police Officer, who is the Officer–In-Charged of Apaa, Mr. Obote Awach ordered the NTV, Bukedde TV and the Daily Monitor Cameramen to surrender in their equipment saying their going there was illegal.
The officer’s threat could not jeopardize my work since I had only carried a folded notebook, a pen and my cell phone which was hidden in the pocket of my coat.
I quietly walked away in disguise of one of the locals, leaving the group of journalists bargaining with the officer-in-charge.
Few meters from the market, I approached a 42 years old, Patrick Acaye, father of 6 kids who says there is no land for sale in Apaa, “What we want is peace, government should not tamper to force us to cause civil strife again. Let the sleeping dog lie.” Acaye warned.
Acaye was digging a new pit latrine, after the old one was demolished during one of the attacks in Apaa.
In April, 2019 Cabinet resolved that the government of Uganda should give UGX 10 million, 20 bags of cement and 20 iron sheets to those with national identification cards only. For those without the national identification cards, only UGX 2 million was to be given to them to evacuate Apaa.
The statements from Uganda Wildlife Authority -UWA and Uganda People’s Defense Forces -UPDF state that there are over 2,000 people with national identification cards in Apaa.
Acaye however, dismissed claims by UWA and UPDF findings; he says the UPDF and UWA had grabbed the IDs from those they got home during their operations.
“There is no land for sale in Apaa, we have inherited this land from our great-grandparents, and we dismayed by the government’s offer.” Said Acaye
“Look, I have four acres of Rice and two acres of Ground Nuts, what a hell is this.” Acaye wondered.
George Omony, the Local Council three of Labala Parish, in Amuru who is also a resident of Apaa is a happy man.
Omony is happy because of re-opening of Apaa market; three week ago the UWA stopped these people from accessing the market saying cabinet resolved that Apaa market must be transferred to Adjumani district saying Apaa is a game reserve.
“I am happy to see more than 20 vehicles coming to Apaa, and I am happy because today the market booming.” Said Omony while laughing
Omony says the cabinet decree puts a ban on Apaa Health Center II, the only government health facility in Apaa, something that led to high death toll due to increase in malaria, measles and Diphtheria cases.
“Over 60 children died of measles and diphtheria.” Omony continued
Omony adds that UWA directives also affected the operation of 13 primary schools in Apaa.
Dr. Daniel Komakech the Chairperson of Acholi on Apaa says the government has been forced, especially Dictator Museveni to remove UPDF from Apaa, following the advice of the UPDF 4th Division commander Brig. Boniface Bamwiseki.
Sources from Apaa military security circle intimates that the appointment of Jacob Oulanyah is nothing; it’s only politics in the making.
“Sabugabo is using the Deputy Speaker as scapegoat. His appointment is just to see 2021 presidential polls pass before returning to Apaa full force.” Said the source
