Fourth Infantry Division Commander Brig. Felix Busizoori says the army has already identified foreign nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi among those illegally felling trees in Zoka Forest Reserve.
The fourth division army barracks commander, Brigadier General Michael Kabango said on Sunday during an interview from the barracks that Apaa is currently a crime scene explaining that movements in and out of the area have been restricted and under the management of the security until further notice.
Joseph Onegiu, the Labala Parish Vice Chairperson revealed that the suspects had been operating illegal roadblocks for some time, extorting money from illegal dealers.
‘’Even this Apaa thing, we have already drafted an instrument under the attorney general`s chambers. The Chief Justice was consulted and the names of members of the commission of inquiry are already there. I believe the President will sign that instrument soon, said Mao.
Onek Atunya Javis, 82, an elder in the area, says that the government's decision is wrong and will affect the growth and development of the area. He maintains that Apaa Township is Acholi`s ancestral land and has neither been a game reserve nor a forest reserve.
All was going on well until Nabbanja told the residents of Apaa Township and Amuru district officials that the Cabinet had resolved that all occupants of Apaa Township voluntarily leave by May 15th, 2023, or risk forceful eviction.
The area's local chairperson Francis Owor who was overseeing the more than ten sub-villages constituting Apaa Township was replaced by Alfred Okwonga, a cultural leader in the area who the Paramount Chief of Acholi Cultural Institution, David Onen Acana II appointed.
Drani claims that he has obtained information that NFA personnel deployed in the area are offering protection to dealers who come from as far as Rwanda, Congo, and parts of central Uganda to cut trees from Zoka forest, which is the country`s only tropical rainforest.
Akol says that on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th of June this year, a group of armed arsonists stormed the area, assaulted and injured twenty-seven people, burnt down 300 huts, and looted several household items, livestock, and poultry noting that it would keep them in abject poverty.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner, says that the suspects were picked up in a security crackdown in the area following the attack.
Justine Ayella, another victim from Rwot Oromo is appealing to the government to intervene and protect the rights of the people in the area as the land ownership questions are settled.
According to the residents and local leaders, the arsonists stormed the area on Saturday and Sunday evening and ordered people out of their homesteads before the torched the huts.
The attackers who have been roaming the area since Saturday last week looted and destroyed household items including ox-ploughs, and solar panels among other items saying that the occupants were illegal in the area.
Richard Atube, who had already planted crops including soybeans, millet, beans, groundnuts and maize is equally puzzled by the persistent dryness, which has adversely affected the growth of his crops.
Binya had gone to meet the leaders of Oyanga Sub-village in Apaa Township in Oyanga Sub-village to negotiate for the purchase of chunks of land and fund the construction of roads in the area to facilitate development.
The campaign seeks to defend the vulnerable, document land, offer legal and advisory services to the vulnerable people in the Acholi Sub-region as well as reclaim lands that have been fraudulently acquired from their owners by the government, investors, and people with selfish interests.
The residents especially men from the villages of Juka, Wee-Yoo in Kal Acut, and Junction say that they have abandoned their homes and fled to the bushes or homes of relatives for fear of being arrested by security personnel or attacked by their counterparts the Madi tribesmen of Adjumani district.
Ocaya was arrested on Monday evening at around 5 p.m from Apaa Trading Centre while on his way to his home in Wee-Yoo Sub Village and taken to Adjumani district aboard the police patrol vehicle.
Anthony Akol, the APG Chairperson emphasized that the joint meeting has given Government 14 days to resolve the Apaa land conflict or else they go camp there to show solidarity with the community.