Apaa land dispute: Church, leaders calls for dialogue to save lives

ADJUMANI, August 9, 2026 — The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu, Raphael Wokorach P’Mony, has called on residents of Apaa to uphold peace and coexistence, urging them not to allow land and administrative boundary disputes to undermine the long-standing relationship between the Acholi and Madi communities.

The Archbishop made the appeal on Thursday during a pastoral visit to Apaa, where he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 60 Christians, presided over the wedding of two couples and officially installed the new parish priest of Pabbo Parish.

Delivering his homily, Wokorach urged the people of Apaa to continue embracing one another despite their differences, stressing that disputes over land ownership and district boundaries should never become a source of division.

“The Acholi and Madi communities have lived side by side for generations, sharing social, cultural and economic ties. I urge you to safeguard that heritage through dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The Archbishop also encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and become ambassadors of peace in their families and communities, saying lasting development can only be achieved where harmony and unity prevail.

His visit attracted hundreds of faithful from Apaa and the surrounding areas, who gathered to witness the religious celebrations and welcome the new parish priest to Pabbo Parish.

Kilak North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol has also called for renewed dialogue between the Acholi and Madi communities to end the long-running conflict over Apaa.

Akol said that, before travelling to South Africa to attend the Pan-African Parliament, he held discussions with Adjumani district leaders, including the LC5 chairperson, during which he proposed dialogue as a means of finding a peaceful solution to the Apaa dispute.

“We need peace in Apaa, and they are willing to talk. Whoever dies here, whether an Acholi or a Madi, is God’s creation. It is important for us as leaders to ensure that no more people die in Apaa. This must stop,” Akol said.

He also appealed to the Archbishop and the Church to take an active role in promoting peace between the two communities.

Akol noted that the former Archbishop had previously played an important role in promoting peaceful coexistence between the Acholi and Madi communities. He urged the Church to build on that legacy at a time when tensions over Apaa remain a concern.

He said the current situation requires leaders from both communities to come together, engage in dialogue and seek a lasting solution, rather than allowing the dispute to continue claiming lives.

Amuru Woman Member of Parliament Lucy Akello has also renewed calls for peace in Apaa, saying she has consistently prayed for an end to the conflict affecting the area.

Akello emphasised the need for leaders and communities to work together to restore lasting peace, noting that the people of Apaa deserve to live without fear and conflict.

Meanwhile, Alfred Mbogo, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 501 Brigade, said the army and the Church share a common responsibility to serve and protect the people under the guidance of God.

Mbogo urged residents to trust the security forces, saying that although some people perceive the army and police as wrongdoers, their primary responsibility is to protect lives, maintain order and safeguard the country.

He said the army should be viewed as the people’s soldiers, tasked with protecting everyone, including the Church, political leaders and the wider population.

“We are your soldiers. We protect you. We are there to protect you, and we shall continue protecting you, the Church, the politicians and every person,” Mbogo said.

He warned that continued conflict could destabilise the area, recalling that the deployment of the army in Apaa had helped restore stability.

Mbogo said the army’s presence was intended to maintain peace and guide communities on how to coexist, rather than to harm residents.

He maintained that the continued stability in Apaa demonstrates the importance of cooperation among the security forces, the Church, leaders and the local population in maintaining peace.

The Apaa land conflict is a violent, long-running dispute over a 42-square-kilometer strip of land in northern/northwestern Uganda, driven by overlapping claims between the Acholi in Amuru district and Madi in Adjumani district.

https://thecooperator.news/apaa-land-acholi-and-madi-communities-seek-reconciliation/

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