Uganda: Gen Aronda warns Nebbi leaders over land conflicts

The Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen Aronda Nyakairima, has warned leaders in northern Uganda against fuelling land conflicts in the region. Addressing security personnel during a joint security meeting in Nebbi District last Friday, Gen Aronda said leaders should not take the law into their own hands and violate the rights of Ugandans.

He said both leaders and residents should always negotiate in order to minimise conflicts. “No leader should abuse the powers given to him or her by the State to harass the affected community in the land conflict areas and all should stand warned,” he said.

He said they are already carrying out investigations on individuals involved in abetting land conflicts and government personnel intimidating citizens.

Leaders said during the meeting that lack of proper demarcation of borders, the quest to get rich and the high price of land were the main causes of land conflicts.

There has been a long standing land conflict between the Acholi in Nwoya and the Jonam from Pakwach, which the minister blamed on some leaders and individuals.

“People usually take the law into their own hands through mob justice and witchcraft making this vice rampant yet there are laws that govern the population on such cases,” he said.

The Nebbi Resident District Commissioner, Mr Martin Orochi, said security personnel should act within the law of Uganda by providing security to all the citizens without segregation and should cooperate with communities in resolving land conflicts.

The Monitor 

UM– USEKE.RW