The UPDF has dismissed claims by the Amuru district LC5 chairperson, Michael Lakony accusing them of laxity which has seen over 200 die in the Achol-Madi tribal clashes in Apaa.
In response to the allegation, the UPDF fourth division public information officer, Capt Kato Ahmad Hassan said by making the baseless statements, Lakony sought to water down their efforts in ensuring sanity and calmness in the general areas of Amuru and Adjumani including Zoka, Apaa and Pakele sub county.
He explained that the UPDF and police last year deployed in Zoka and Apaa which were the centre of the conflict.
“As of now, clashes between the two communities have been greatly minimized due to the massive deployment of our security personnel’s along their mobility corridors which both communities could use to cause attacks on each other,” Capt Kato said.
“The attacks and killings of last year and early this year were registered 30-50km West of Apaa towards the Nile and 15km North East of Apaa in Pakele sub county, an area were the Acholi and Madi community have peacefully lived in existence since 70’s to date but not Apaa as always reported.The Joint forces have equally deployed in the general areas of Pakele to help curb the situation respectively.Apaa in itself is safe although our politicians are generalizing the entire region of Adjumani as Apaa so as to fulfill their selfish interest best known to them.”
He noted that security forces have in a measure to check their effectiveness been conducting patrols and periodic relief to ensure that security service delivery is not compromised for some reason.
“On a serious note, the joint forces have kick started investigations on prominent known leaders from both communities who have been behind the mobilization of the violent youths and arming them with bows and arrows to commit violence,” Capt Kato noted.
He added, “It has also come to our attention that the same leaders have been awarding and illegally selling cheap land in these areas after expulsion of its occupants from their lands. Soon, their networks will be dismantled.”
The UPDF fourth division public information officer said they are working hard to apprehend perpetrators who are causing mayhem in the general areas of Adjumani and Amuru.
