VICTIMS OF VIOLENT LAND EVICTIONS IN KOBOKO DISTRICT DEMANDS JUSTICE, GOV’T INTERVENTION

Some the affected community members from Kagoropa and Busia in Koboko district during their visit to WE-CAN offices in Arua City (All photos by Onzoma Albert).

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN) has submitted a petition to the Office of the Presidency concerning violent and unlawful land evictions in Kagoropa and Busia villages within Kuluba Sub-County, Koboko District. Residents and victims report sudden, violent displacement and destruction of property. These actions violate presidential directives prohibiting unlawful evictions without proper legal procedures and court orders.

Affected community members, including Badru Okuma, have suffered significant losses such as crops, plantations, livestock, household items, and other property, and they appeal for government intervention.

“In my home I have around seven houses four iron roofed, three grass thatched houses and latrine, crops, animals and other properties which have all been demolished, my appeal to the government is to come to our aid since our crops and other properties have all been taken and demolished by the land grabbers” he said.

Sika Muhammed one of the affected community member from Kagoropa who settled in the disputed land since 1991, narrating the whole story during their visit in Arua City.

According to Richard Andama, Executive Director of WE-CAN, the petition seeks compensation for the displaced families and demands that perpetrators be brought to justice to restore peace.

“This is a question of accountability and the people who are doing impunity in that district of Koboko will account for all the loses encountered by the affected community members, there are so many people unlawfully evicted in Kagoropa and Busia over one hundred families which is totally unacceptable” he said.

Honorable Mambo Ashraf, the LCV Chairman of Koboko District, has recognized the issue and called on landlords and affected communities to coexist peacefully while authorities work on resolving the matter.

“If there are issues of land the affected communities should seek for help from authorities to mediate upon and give them the right direction other than taking law into their hand, even if you are an occupant or landlord you have the right but you need to co-exist and understand the issues, they should avoid been misled by other leaders who have interest in their land who infiltrate and cause commotion among the communities” he said.

The affected community members being briefed by the WE-CAN leadership over progress made concerning the petition delivered to the minister of presidency.

WE-CAN’s letter, addressed to the Minister of Presidency and received on August 27th, requests government intervention and the deployment of a team from the secretariat to investigate the allegations of eviction, land grabbing, and collusion involving the reallocation of land to Kakwa communities originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda.

These actions have caused unrest, displacement, and conflicts among local communities in West Nile and some Koboko district leaders. The petition states that the matter was referred to WE-CAN’s head office in Arua City by the affected community members.

WE-CAN urges timely intervention from the Office of the Presidency to manage the situation and calls for the identification and implication of Koboko district officials involved in the land disputes.

They recommend deploying an independent investigative team to prevent further violence and bloodshed in the district. The advocacy network demands immediate government action to protect displaced families, ensure justice, and restore peace in Koboko District.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis