Quest for Apaa District opens unhealed wounds of war

After months of silence, the push for Apaa to be granted district status has reignited a heated debate, raising concerns over a potential resurgence of conflict.

The latest controversy has been sparked by Kilak North MP Mr Anthony Akol, who, during a fundraising event in Paboo Sub-county, Amuru District, called on the government to create Apaa, the contested area, as a new district.

The event, which was also attended by Speaker of Parliament Ms Anita Among, saw Akol switch political allegiance, defecting from the FDC to the NRM party.

Akol’s comments have incensed the leadership of Adjumani District, who argue that such a move would fuel further discord between the communities of Adjumani and Amuru. Local leaders in Adjumani have strongly opposed the proposal, claiming that it serves political interests rather than addressing the needs of the affected communities.

Adjumani District Woman MP, Ms Jesca Ababiku, condemned the proposal as inflammatory, warning that it could spark violence in an already volatile region.

“We are mobilizing West Nile MPs to defend Apaa. This call to create an Apaa District is an invitation to war. It’s an attempt to seize Apaa for political and economic reasons, despite government findings confirming that Apaa lies eight kilometers inside Adjumani District,” she said on Wednesday.

Past clashes

The conflict surrounding Apaa has deep historical roots. In 2018, a fierce clash occurred between the Acholi and Madi communities at Gorobi River, where Acholi leaders’ efforts to claim Apaa were repelled.

In 2023, the UPDF ordered the eviction of 40,000 illegal settlers from Apaa following tribal clashes between the Acholi and Madi. Over 10,000 people have been displaced as a result of the ongoing tribal violence.

Adjumani East County MP, Mr James Mamawi, dismissed Akol’s proposal as a politically motivated attempt to revive his standing in Kilak North. He emphasized that history consistently favors those defending their rightful land in the region.

Museveni’s three-point proposal

In 2020, President Museveni proposed a solution to the Apaa issue, offering three potential resolutions: First, relocating the people of Apaa to Acholi land with full compensation and government support. Second, allowing the people of Apaa to remain but preventing further expansion of the settlement. Third, providing another portion of land near populated areas for resettlement, away from the forest.

In response to the criticism, Kilak North MP and Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) chairperson, Mr. Anthony Akol, dismissed the stance of Adjumani leaders as narrow and lacking vision.

He emphasised that he and his colleagues had already proposed a solution to the government and the president to address the Apaa land conflict.

“The Madi leaders continue to view the issue as a conflict between the Acholi and Madi communities or as a border dispute between Adjumani and Amuru,” he said.

Akol further asserted that, as a national leader, he was concerned about the suffering of both the Acholi and Madi people in Apaa. He revealed that many members of these communities were selling their land at low prices, fearing eventual loss of ownership to non-natives.

The lingering conflict

The Apaa land dispute dates back to 2006, following the end of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency. Over the years, the conflict has drawn in high-profile government officials and military figures. Multiple investigations have confirmed that Apaa is located within Adjumani District, yet political actors continue to exploit the issue for personal gain.

Despite previous efforts, including a failed judicial commission of inquiry, the dispute remains unresolved, with tensions rising once again over political maneuvering and territorial claims.