UGANDA, Apaa | Real Muloodi News | In the heart of Uganda’s land conflict in Apaa Township, bordering Adjumani and Amuru districts, a recent surge in violence has left a trail of destruction and displacement.
The conflict, fueled by longstanding disputes over land rights, has escalated once again, resulting in death, injury, and widespread fear among local communities.
Between Friday night 16th February 2024 and Monday morning 19th February 2024, unidentified assailants armed with traditional weapons descended upon Apaa Township, targeting villages including Goro B, Kal Acut, and Kamdini.
Over 400 grass-thatched huts were set ablaze, and livestock were slaughtered indiscriminately. The attackers, numbering in the hundreds, moved swiftly, leaving devastation in their wake.
Many residents fled their homes, seeking refuge at Wee-yoo Trading Centre near a police outpost, where they shared chilling accounts of the violence they endured.
The toll of the violence is starkly evident in the wounds of survivors like William Onekgiu, who sustained arrow wounds while attempting to save his belongings from the flames.
Others, like Margaret Oyella, recount harrowing tales of narrowly escaping the inferno that consumed their homes.
The attacks, reportedly carried out by assailants wearing military attire, have left the community reeling, grappling with trauma and uncertainty.
The conflict in Apaa Township is deeply rooted in a complex web of land disputes. The contested land, claimed by entities including the Uganda Wildlife Authority and local inhabitants, has been a flashpoint for tensions for years.
Efforts to resolve the dispute have been stymied by challenges, perpetuating a cycle of violence that has displaced and disrupted the lives of countless individuals.
Tragically, the recent violence in Apaa has claimed lives once again. In Lianguru village, two individuals, Juliano Taku and Drani Arikanjelo, fell victim to a brutal attack by assailants armed with machetes, bows, and arrows.
The conflict, which reignited between the Acholi and Madi communities, underscores the deep-seated tensions that continue to plague the region.
As security forces work to restore calm, the scars of this latest outbreak of violence serve as a grim reminder of the unresolved grievances that fuel the conflict.
In the aftermath of the attacks, security measures have been heightened, offering a glimmer of hope for stability. Yet, the road to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.
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