ARUA CITY COMMUNITY DISMANTLE SEAL-OFF OVER CONTESTED ACCESS ROAD

Security dispersing the rowdy crowd after dismantling the seal off of the construction site – Photo by Morish Dramadri

By Barbra Yikiru& Morish Dramadri – Arua city

Aggrieved residents of Abia Cell in Pangisha Ward, Arua Central Division, in Arua city on Monday swung to action to dismantle a seal-off of a construction, alleging that the development had blocked a long-standing community access road in the area.

The “Abia” road in contention that connects the communities of Abia cell from the main Arua Rhino camp road opposite Safi mosque, according to the community was opened since 1912 though had not been opened wide as a city or national road.

Early this month, a land lord along “Abia” road commenced construction on his plot close to the road and sealed off the road from the tarmac leaving the community without an access route. This attracted concerns from the members of the community who protested the action of the land lord.

On Friday September, 18, 2026 while in Arua city, the minister of state for works and transport Hon. Fred Byamukama was tipped by Arua Resident City Commissioner Rtd. Maj. Betty Otekat Akello on the community concern in regards to the blockage of this community access road. On his visit to the scene, minister Fred Byamukama directed the works at the site to stop, tasked the city leaders to resolve the matter.

But observation at the site reveal that the works have continued under the guard of the police with materials ferried at the site at night hours, according community members. This later angered the community to act.

The emotional action later attracted the intervention of security led by the Arua Central Division Police Commander who dispersed the rowdy crowd with tear-gas.

The construction site belonging to Fuadi Jaffar, the owner of the contested land, was brought down after community members alleged that the development had blocked the long-standing Abia Road.

Residents also accused security of threatening them when they demanded access to the road and called for justice.

Rukia Abia Ramadhan, a resident of Abia Cell, says the community’s main concern is access to the road.

“We are fighting because of the road. Fuadi has closed for us the road. He does not want people to pass here,” said Rukia.

According to information gathered from the parties involved, the land at the centre of the dispute is claimed to be fully titled.

However, Muhamood Ijosiga Baakole, chairman of the Construction Committee of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce in Arua, disputes the authenticity of the documents, alleging that the land title documents are forged.

“These documents are forgery. We proved they are forgery because if they are genuine, they could not close the road,” Ijosiga said.

However, Fuadi Jaffar, the landowner accused of sealing off the road, denies that the Abia Road exists on the contested land.

Fuadi Jaffar accused of road blockage speaking after police intervention – Photo by Morish Dramadri

He says city officials, including a surveyor, informed residents that there was no road on the land, but says he is willing to provide space for community access.

“There is no road here. Even the city staff surveyor told these people last Wednesday that there is no road here. My mark stones are there. This is registered land, but I am willing to give 1.5 metres,” Fuadi said.

Since the community began demanding that the alleged road be reopened, security has been deployed at the site to safeguard the premises.

The community, however, alleges that the deployment is intended to intimidate them and protect the landowner.

Arua Central Division Police Commander SP Joseph Bongo refutes the allegations, saying police are not taking sides in the dispute.

“Us as security and police officers, even we need roads. We are not backing this man to block the road. We are not here to guard him,” SP Joseph said.

Meanwhile, Arua Central Division Member of Parliament Hon. Muzaidi Khemis has called for dialogue between the parties, saying security intervention should not be used as a substitute for resolving the land dispute.

Arua central Member of Parliament Hon. Muzaidi Khemis (in grey coat) speaking to the security and other leaders at the dismsantled site – Photo by Morish Dramadri

“This gentleman here will never enjoy this place if he is not going to have harmony. If he continues to insist, I will now move it to the floor of Parliament as an order to see that the police is moved away,” Hon. Muzaidi said.

Despite several attempts to harmonise the matter, no resolution had been reached by press time, with the aggrieved parties leaving the site without an agreement.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis