One dead, three injured in Amuru land row

AMURU. At least one person was killed and three others sustained injuries following inter-clan clashes over land in Amuru District, according to local authorities.

The incident happened in Amoyokuma ward, Otwee town council after fierce fights erupted among clans of Palyec and Luboro claiming ownership of a strip of land.

Eight huts were reportedly burnt, several livestock killed and household property looted during the revenge attack, according the police. 

The deceased was identified as Alex George Acire, 45, a resident of Pawel village in Pabbo Sub-county. He reportedly sustained multiple body injuries after being stabbed and cut using knives and machetes.

What happened?

According to information Daily Monitor obtained, a row over the land has been ongoing between the family of Armstrong Oryem of Luboro clan and Otto Gem of Palyec clan since 2005.

It’s reported that the clash was sparked when the family of Oryem detained and harassed Otto’s wife who had visited the disputed land to attend a meeting.

“When Otto’s wife went to attend a meeting, young men from Oryem’s family detained her. They harassed her forcing her to make an alarm attracting other people from the neighbourhood,” a source who preferred anonymity said.

He noted that the deceased -- a son to the woman was the first person to respond in attempt to rescue his mother but unfortunately he was overpowered and killed.

But the Amuru District Chairperson Mr Michael Lakony told Daily Monitor in an interview that the deceased was among a group of people who had been led to wage an attack on their rival’s home over a disputed piece of land.

Mr Lakony said a group of men mobilized from the family of Otto and invaded Oryema’s home where they started destroying household property, killing livestock and burning huts.

He, however, said they were overpowered by youth from Oryema’s home who retaliated with knives, machetes leading to fatality and injuries.

According to him, Oryema’s family after years of being in court finally secured ownership of the land at the Gulu High Court in October last year but their contenders appealed the ruling.

He said early this year, Otto’s family members again filed another suit at the Gulu Magistrate Court adding that the ruling was due next month.

“There were high chances Oryema’s family members were going to win the case. We believe this could have driven them to wage the attack. The family that suffered fatality was on the wrong; they went to their rival’s home in the name of revenge. We condemn such actions and call for calm,” he added.

Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson said three suspects have so far been arrested in connection to the clashes to help police with investigations.

He said they are currently detained at Gulu and Amuru central police stations.