UGANDA, Apac | Real Muloodi News | An altercation over a six-acre family land in Acinanga Village, Alworoceng Parish, Ibuje Sub County, Apac District, turned deadly as 38-year-old Richard Onapa allegedly killed his stepbrother, Jasper Ekwaro, 24, during a dispute regarding land ownership.
The incident occurred amidst the ongoing government project of land registration for acquiring the certificate of customary land ownership.
According to reports, Onapa, who is now a fugitive, engaged in a heated argument with Ekwaro over the registration of the family land.
The confrontation escalated, leading to Ekwaro’s demise after being struck with a blunt object around 3 pm on Friday.
Mr Bonny Okello, the area LCI chairperson, stated that police from the Kidilani Police Post responded to the scene and gathered statements from witnesses, including other family members.
Okello recounted the events, stating, “During the argument over land, Ekwaro called his stepbrother a bastard who didn’t have any right to own the land at their home. Onapa picked stones and started pelting at Ekwaro who dodged them. He (Onapa) then picked a big piece of firewood which he used to hit him on the forehead. He died instantly.”
Moses Baranaba, a neighbour and the Ibuje Sub County chief, urged the public to assist in apprehending Onapa, who fled upon realising the outcome of the altercation.
Baranaba appealed, “Onapa ran away after realising that his brother is dead. So, I am calling upon anyone who will see him to report to police or the local leaders.”
Apac DPC, Mr. Rogers Kapere, confirmed that police investigations into the murder were underway.
Land disputes have become a pervasive issue affecting numerous households across Uganda.
A 2020 report titled “Deep dive into land justice in Uganda” by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law revealed that one in every four Ugandans experiences land-related injustices, particularly vulnerable groups such as the poor, widows, and orphans.
The report also highlighted a lack of clarity regarding legal and secure land acquisition processes, leading to unresolved land issues and frequent evictions, particularly in the central region.
A recent report titled “Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Uganda 2024,” released in March 2024 by Principal Judge Flavian Zeija, indicated that 42 per cent of the population had been involved in land disputes, with 23 per cent experiencing multiple legal problems, predominantly land-related.
The report emphasised that land disputes disproportionately affect older individuals, with those above 40 years old frequently citing land issues as their most serious problem.
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