Acholi chief, MP criticise women for undressing before ministers
UPDF soldiers get ready to vacate the disputed Apaa land at the weekend after a directive from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Aronda Nyakairima. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI
What you need to know:
Shame. The traditional leader says the action was an embarrassment to the Acholi and shows erosion of cultural norms
Amuru. The Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has criticised women who stripped naked before ministers protesting the planned demarcation of the disputed boundary between Amuru and Adjumani districts at Apaa, Pabbo Sub-county, last week.
Addressing a press conference at Acholi chiefdom headquarters in Gulu District at the weekend, Paramount Chief Acana said there were better and more polite means of expressing their grievances than undressing in the public.
“They have embarrassed us as the Acholi, this shows that our culture is perishing yet there were other means of resolving such issues through dialogue,” Rwot Achana said.
Last Thursday, elderly women stripped before Internal Affairs minister Aronda Nyakairima and Lands minister Daudi Migereko who had gone with a team of surveyors from the ministry of Lands to plant mark stones in a bid to end the long-standing dispute between Amuru and Adjumani residents.
The land in question is also being claimed by Uganda Wild Life Authority that it is part of East-Madi Game Reserve.
The paramount chief said over the years, the Madi and Acholi people have lived together and there had never been any reported cases of indiscipline between the communities. He said the communities should focus on fostering development in the area and warned local leaders against inciting residents on matters that can be resolved amicably.
Gulu Archdiocese Bishop John Baptist Odama said the women’s action was a sign of desperation but sends a wrong message to the young generation.
Kilak County MP Gilbert Olanya, who had earlier clashed with Gen Aronda over government plan to plant mark stones on the boundary, said he was equally disappointed with the women’s action.
“I was disappointed too looking at the elder women stripping in front of the children and other people. I beg them that next time they demonstrate in a different way to express their dissatisfaction,” the legislator said.
By Cissy Makumbi, John Okot and Julius Ocungi
Army vacate disputed land
Meanwhile, the police and army have pulled out from the disputed land, the UPDF 4th Division army spokesperson, Capt Ceaser Olweny, said. Capt Olweny told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the forces were withdrawn on orders of Gen Aronda. “Our soldiers were deployed at Apaa to ensure security in the area as exercise of erecting mark stones to demarcate the boundary was to take effect. But since the exercise is on halt, we can’t continue to stay there,” he said.
On standby. Capt Olweny, however, added that they will stay out of Apaa only when residents maintain law and order, arguing that if there is any lawlessness, they won’t hesitate to redeploy to maintain the security.
