By David Ochieng
Police in Tororo district on Tuesday were forced to intervene in the Apokor land conflict in Mella Sub County between St. Jude Catholic Church and the family of Remegio Obwana.
Police intervened in the matter after threats deadly with a house built on the disputed land being burnt down last week.
The land in question is totals to over 24 acres and was allegedly donated to church by Obwana’s family in 1918. However, in 1975, the conflict began when the children of the same family dragged church to court in an effort to reclaim the land.
A week ago, a house valued in millions, was torched by unknown people after being inspected by the police. The house had been built on the disputed land belonging to Gerald Obwana. The house was near completion.
Gerald Obwana is the son of Remegio Obwana who allegedly donated the land to the church in 1918.
Immediately after the house was burned down, police arrested and released seven members of the church's congregation. Police was forced to release them after it could not prove they were behind the arson.
The escalation of the conflict on Tuesday forced DPC Tororo, John Rutaagira to summon a communal meeting between the two sides.
Rutaagira urged the two sides to form a joint committee to chart a way forward for them to co-exist and resolve the long running dispute. He urged the two sides not to descend into violence as the conflict has claimed too many lives already.
It is believed close to ten people have lost their lives in the conflict over the intervening decades as the church and family battle over who owns the land.
