By Inyakuni Kennedy

Moyo

Moyo and Yumbe district local governments have threatened to petition the ministry of local government over the long outstanding boarder dispute between Moyo and yumbe district.  The border dispute has existed for decades.

The land in question lies between Lefori Sub County in Moyo district and Kochi Sub County in Yumbe district which stretches to Kali in Itula sub county Obongi district. According to the leaders, the dispute has continued to affect agricultural production and productivities due to tension among the residents in the area.

Mr. Williams Anyama, the chairperson Moyo district said, government should put an end to the border dispute between Moyo and yumbe districts once and for all since it has existed for long without being resolved. “What is it that government can not do to come and say this is where the administrative boundary of Yumbe begins and ends, this is where administrative boundaries of Moyo begins and ends? Government is aware and has answers to this problem, why is it not made publically to avoid tension building between the two communities?” Anyama said.

Anyama has appealed to the technical and political leaders of Moyo and Yumbe districts to work together as a team to follow the matter in the relevant ministries and offices to come on ground to verify the borderlines.


Mr. Williams Anyama, the chairperson Moyo District

Mr. Abdul Mutwalib, the chairperson Yumbe district has called for peaceful co-existence between the people of Yumbe and Moyo district despite the challenge of unresolved border conflict between the two districts. He noted that the collaboration between the leadership of Yumbe and Moyo will not be taken for granted amidst the existing challenges.

However Abdul Mutalib remarked that the border disputes are beyond the leadership of Yumbe and Moyo districts to handle. “I have always said it to my people, this border disputes are beyond me as the chairperson of the district, they are even beyond the chairman of Moyo because the law is very clear.  The mandate of altering administrative boundaries from the districts, counties, constituencies is not vested on us as districts, ours can be proposals to government and ministry of local governments. This mandate is vested on the parliament of Uganda through Cabinet.” Abdul Mutalib said.

He adds that, “as leaders, what is most important is for us is to see how we continue to co-exist peaceful so that there is no confusion, and we encourage people to engage in agricultural production as being the only means of livelihood of the people”.

The Chairperson has reiterated the commitment of the people of yumbe regarding the outcome of the border verification if government takes actions to resolve the dispute. “If the border between Moyo and yumbe is confirmed scientifically up to Aliodranyusi, I will make submission to chair Moyo of handing over the administration of the said area. And if it’s also said yumbe extends to Lefori, he should do the same for the purpose of saving our people,” the Yumbe boss added. “As the District chairpersons of west Nile region under the west Nile development association (WENDA), we need to petition government to resolve border disputes among the districts in the sub region as to strengthen WENDA for strategic development,” he added.

The leaders have planned to organize for community dialogues in the affected areas to communicate message of peace as they await for government’s commitment in addressing border disputes.

Mr. Bada Emmanuel, the councilor of Moyo Sub County in Moyo district said there is need for the two districts to continue offering services to the people in the disputed area.

COVER PHOTO: Mr. Abudu Mutalib, the chairperson yumbe district By Inyakuni Kennedy