The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has directed the Office of the Prime Minister to intervene in the reported displacement of people of Apaa, Amuru district by unknown militia.
This comes after the MPs: Hon. Lucy Akello (Amuru District) and Hon. Lilly Adong (Nwoya District) sought immediate government intervention to solve the ongoing havoc meted on the people of the area by unknown militia from Adjumani district. The MPs raised the issues during Wednesday’s sitting, forcing the Speaker to ask the Prime Minister for an explanation during the Thursday sitting. The MPs said this was in contravention of a presidential directive halting any evictions of the people of Apaa.
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During the Thursday sitting however, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, said that the Prime Minister had directed his Ministry to prepare the response to be presented on Tuesday next week.
“The Office of the Prime Minister is directed to go and support the people who have no food and probably no shelter. This is very urgent,” said Kadaga.
She also directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure there is security for people in camps.
“Those who are injured should be treated, please keep the place secure until you come to us [on Tuesday],” said Kadaga.
Kadaga gave the directive after Minister Obiga Kania asked for more time to present a statement of the sustained havoc on and displacement of the people of Apaa by unknown militia.
“We are preparing the statement. I have already consulted some of the colleagues from that area and are agreeable to having other meetings so that we come here with a comprehensive statement,” said Obiga Kania.
In response to a matter raised by Hon. Gilbert Olanya (FDC, Kilak South County) on the continued arrests of the people of Apaa, Obiga Kania said that the situation is under control.
“I called the Deputy Regional Police Commander of Adjumani and he said that eight people have been arrested and are being processed through the right channels of the law,” said Obiga Kania.
He also promised to verify information presented by Hon. Anthony Akol (FDC, Kilak North) that some people of Apaa were attacked on the night of 30 January 2019.
“If our people are suffering and they need our support, that needs attention after immediate verification, a step we shall undertake,” said Obiga Kania.
In 2015, Government demarcated the boundary between Amuru and Adjumani amidst protests from the people of Amuru. The leaders of Amuru said that the process only involved people from Adjumani and that the boundary was extended inside Amuru. Since then, the area has witnessed conflicts which have led to deaths, destruction of property as well as displacement of residents.
