The accusations follow a long standoff by the district leadership of Napak and Katakwi over administrative boundary. In February, the Local Government Minister, Tom Butime opened the boundary for the two districts but no common ground has been reached by the two districts.
Counter accusations have emerged between Napak and Katakwi leaders over the boundary dispute.
In February, the Local Government Minister, Tom Butime opened the
boundary for the two districts but no common ground has been reached by the two
districts.
Napak contends that the pronouncement by the minister encroached on their land
in Alekilek and Kodike. The two villages, previously under Napak district were
curved into Katakwi district, leaving Napak with Kaithelem market. The market
and the two villages have been at the centre of contention between the two districts.
Now, the two districts have started pointing figures on each other. Napak
accuses Katakwi of using police and other security agencies to intimidate
residents at the border.
In one of the letters written by the sub-county chairperson of
Iriiri, which sits at the border with Katakwi, Ben Peter Loburo accuses police
of attacking and threatening locals at Alekilek village.
The letter addressed to the Napak LC5 chairperson, Joseph Lomonyang indicates
that the police attached to Katakwi district, on April 18th, threatened and
attacked residents of Alekilek over their land. Loburo alleges that the police
destroyed huts being constructed in the village and warned people not to
continue with the construction works.
“They were rudely telling them that Alekilek belongs to Katakwi
district. Now, in this trend of events, how can government guns be turned to
kill its very own people?”, part of the letter reads. They noted that police
patrol car with registration number UP 4854 was used by the police to terrorize
residents.
Ben Peter Loburo, the Iriiri chairman claims that the police habit of
threatening residents in Alekilek has increased recently.
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Emmy Ogirot, the Palam sub-county chairperson that borders Napak
claims that cattle thefts have recently increased after the border opening. He
notes that over 80 cattle have been stolen by the Karimojong, something he
observes is alarming.
Ogirot explains that although cattle thefts have been common in the area, the
recent incidents have left them in dilemma.
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However, both the police and army leadership in Teso have denied
knowledge of being used in the border issue or increased theft of cattle.
Maxwell Ogwal Onep, the Regional Police Commander, East Kyoga says he not aware
of the police involvement in the border issue while Capt. Abert Arinaitwe, the
3rd Division spokesman told URN that there is no relationship between the
border conflict and cattle thefts.
