Locals want fresh probe into chief’s death
Oyam South MP Betty Amongi (L) and other leaders confront a police officer during the meeting to solve the land conflicts. The dispute resulted into the death of a clan chief in July. PHOTO BY FRANK JEAN OKOT
What you need to know:
The council says genuine suspected perpetrators were not charged for the murder of Otuke clan chief during a land dispute.
OTUKE
The UK-based Lango Elders’ Council has demanded that government conducts fresh investigations into the death of a clan chief.
The council said the “genuine suspected perpetrators” were not brought to book. “We... deplore the recent brutal death of Alfred Oluge, the customary land owner and the deputy clan leader of Atek Okwerowee, that happened on July 14, 2012 at Olilim Health Centre,” the council’s chairperson, Mr John Charles Ogole, said in a telephone interview on Monday.
Oluge was killed following a recent bloody land dispute between government and residents of Atira Parish in Olilim Sub-county which also left dozens wounded.
Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Atim Ogwal said the incident occurred when legislators from Lango sub-region visited Atira seeking residents’ views on the alleged give-away of at least 300 hectares of land to President Museveni purportedly for establishing a ranch.
Ms Ogwal said the President’s alleged expression of interest in the disputed land follows the area Woman MP, Ms Annet Nyakwecho Okwenye’s letter to him that there exists free land in Atira suitable for a ranch.
Ms Ogwal said her Otuke counterpart invited the President to acquire the controversial land without consulting the “landlords” hence sparking off chaos. It was in the fracas that Oluge was allegedly hit several times on the head before he died.
Mr Ogole said they appreciate locals who stood up for their land and met their death or sustained injuries. He urged the government and the Lango Cultural Foundation to ensure that the family of the late Oluge receives justice and fair compensation. “We send our condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends and the entire people of Lango who have witnessed the beginning of bloodshed,” Mr Ogole said.
The council proposed that the late Olugebe be treated as a martyr and the perpetrators be prosecuted.
