ADJUMANI, February 27, 2025 – In a historic step towards reconciliation, the Acholi and Madi communities have shown signs of reaching an agreement to end the long-standing Apaa land conflict, a dispute that has claimed lives and displaced hundreds.
Committed to peace, the two communities have embarked on dialogue to promote land-sharing and harmonious coexistence. The Apaa land is claimed by the Acholi in Amuru district and Madi from Adjumani district.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force [UPDF] 501 Brigade in Moyo district, led by Col. David Byaruhanga, has stepped in as a neutral mediator to foster discussions and rebuild trust.
And in separate meetings held on 14 and 15 February 2025, Byaruhanga engaged the leaders of both communities individually before convening a joint peace meeting on February 17, 2025 at the 501 Brigade headquarters in Zoka C, Moyo district.
During the gathering of Feb 17, Byaruhanga urged the communities to embrace dialogue, emphasising that land disputes, if left unresolved, could prolong suffering and hinder development.
The army man reassured the leaders of the UPDF’s professional neutrality, underscoring that peace efforts should prioritise coexistence rather than contesting land ownership, as Apaa has already been designated as part of Adjumani district.
Key figures at the meeting included Adjumani District Internal Security Officer [DISO], Henry Kotevu Henry, District Police Commander, Dick Ayesigomwe, and Brigade Administrator Lt Colonel Logira, alongside central government representatives.
Elder and opinion leader Phillip Mondia from Adjumani stressed the urgency of ending the conflict, highlighting its devastating impact on the locals.
He warned that continued violence only benefits outsiders who exploit the land while local communities suffer. ”Instead of bloodshed, let’s focus on cooperation for a prosperous future,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Abiola Pangut, leader of the Acholi business community in Apaa, emphasised the power of dialogue over violence.
Pangut further cautioned that acquiring land through force or deception would never bring lasting peace and reminded both communities of their shared history, particularly the strong bonds formed through intermarriages.
The Apaa land dispute traces back to 2006, when peace returned to Northern Uganda following two decades of insurgency by the Lord’s Resistance Army [LRA]. Allegations surfaced that General Julius Oketa had occupied land from Zoka River to Ngoro in Zoka Aliwara village, sparking tensions between Amuru and Adjumani districts. Over the years, violence, displacement, and forced evictions by authorities have intensified the conflict, leading to suffering and uncertainty for residents.
Despite government efforts to demarcate district borders and uphold Apaa’s status as a conservation area within Adjumani, disputes over land ownership and resettlement persist. The ongoing peace process seeks to bridge these divisions, offering hope that sustained dialogue will resolve a conflict deeply rooted in history, identity, and territorial claims.
With both communities now willing to turn the page, the path toward peace appears within reach. The question remains whether this new agreement will withstand the challenges ahead, but for now, Acholi and Madi leaders are determined to ensure that Apaa’s future is built on unity rather than division.
https://thecooperator.news/apaa-land-conflict-adjumani-leaders-promise-to-fight-on/
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