Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the Commander of the Fourth Infantry Division, confirmed Oyet’s arrest to Uganda Radio Network on Sunday, saying he is a key suspect in the conflicts over land in Apaa.
A senior Administrator of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Amuru district is in police custody in
connection with the recent violence in the disputed Apaa. Martin Oyet was picked up last
week following intelligence linking him to the incitement of clashes between
communities of Acholi and Madi in the disputed Apaa area, a long-standing hotspot of land conflicts.
Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the
Commander of the Fourth Infantry Division, confirmed Oyet’s arrest to Uganda Radio
Network on Sunday, saying he is a key suspect in the conflicts over land in
Apaa. According to Gen Busizoori, Oyet
has been behind numerous dubious land sales in Apaa, which have been bringing
confusion and conflicts among community members.
He alleged that Oyet and other suspects
still at large have been mobilizing locals to chase away other people occupying
the land, after which they take over ownership of the land. “…They are the ones mobilizing the community to chase away other people, then once they are chased away, they come
and take over the land,” Gen Busizoori told URN.
Gen Busizoori noted that Oyet is
being detained at the Fourth Infantry Division headquarters pending prosecution
in court, adding that other suspects implicated in the violence are still being
pursued by security personnel. Oyet is among five other key suspects
who were arrested last week following the recent clashes that left three
people dead, including a soldier
identified as Michael Okodo.
The deceased were attacked between March 27 and
April 3 in Offu village in Ukusijoni Sub-county, Amuru district. Speaking to journalists early this
month, Gen Busizoori faulted politicians from both sides of Amuru and Adjumani
districts for fueling the tension in Apaa and cautioned them to desist or risk
facing arrest. He also cautioned politicians
against exerting pressure on security personnel demanding for release of
suspects implicated in planning for violence in Apaa.
Early this month, following the
resurgence of violence, security personnel imposed a four-day total curfew in
Offu and Acholi Ber villages in Ukusijoni Sub-county to curb violence. The curfew
was among a raft of resolutions security personnel from both Amuru and Adjumani
districts agreed on to end bloodshed.
Other resolutions included the immediate
arrest of suspects implicated in illegal sales of land, the arrest of suspects implicated
in mobilizing attackers, and a total ban on charcoal production in Zoka Forest. Adjumani Resident District
Commissioner Peter Taban Data, early this month, noted that illegal land sales in
the disputed area are the biggest contributor to the repeated violent clashes
between the community of Acholi and Lango.
//Cue in: “Right now if…
Cue out:…they can sell.”//
When contacted, William Nokrach,
the Amuru district NRM Party Chairperson, didn’t immediately offer any statement
on the arrest of Oyet, arguing that the matter is private and still in the hands
of the security. “This matter is private, they
don’t want it to be out, and it’s still the security,” Nokrach told Uganda Radio
Network over the weekend.
