Uganda: Land rows reverse resettlement

GULU, 17 March 2009 (IRIN) - Violent land disputes have prompted hundreds of people in northern Uganda to flee their home areas, dealing a blow to recent efforts to reverse the massive displacement that followed a rebel insurgency in the late 1980s.

Local officials say four deaths have occurred in the districts of Gulu and Amuru following disputes since the beginning of 2009.

The conflicts took place in Patiko village in Gulu, Omer and Got Apwoyo villages in Amuru as well as in Kitgum district.

Some 120 households in Corner Agula village in Gulu's Odek Sub-County were rendered homeless two weeks ago when their homes were burnt down during a clash between the Lukwo and Palaro clan members.

The Lukwo and Palaro had initially been displaced in the main camps of Acet, Corner Agula, Lalogi and Opit, but their return home, since 2007, has been marred by disputes over a parcel of land in Omunyjubi area that separates the two clans.

John Komakech, from the Palaro, returned home in Ocim village, near the area under dispute, but has since fled back to Acet IDP camp for fear of more attacks.

"Men wielding spears, bows, arrows, machetes and axes attacked the village, burning huts indiscriminately," Komakech told IRIN at Acet IDP camp.

"My home was also attacked on the night of 29 February. I was sleeping and at about 2am angry men came into my home and started torching huts, including mine.

"The men said I should leave the land or they would hit me. I narrowly escaped being speared. I can't sleep in my home now; you can see all my family are back in Acet IDP camp."

An attack on 27 February at the Agula return site, by men suspected to be from the Lukwo clan, resulted in the death of Simon Ojok of the Palaro clan who was stabbed several times in the stomach while Charles Okello, a local leader, was wounded.

"I tried stopping them but one of the attackers threw a spear at me, hurting me seriously. They started burning huts in the camp and beating up other people," Okello said.

However, the Ugandan army repulsed a group of attackers who attempted to raid the satellite camp on 6 March.

The sub-county leader, Martin Alobi, said locals had lost property in the attacks.

"This conflict over the land in Omunyjubi village started when we started going back home. It's surprising because before the conflict the two clans lived amicably with no hatred," Owiny Onek, 79, a resident, said.

Police have arrested seven people from Lukwo clan, one of whom is a police constable, considered the lead suspect.

Gulu police commander Yasin Ndimwibo said: "We are investigating the matter; more people will be arrested."

Local leaders expressed fear that unless the government intervenes to resolve the dispute, more violence would disrupt the resettlement of IDPs.

However, Gulu resident commissioner Walter Ochora said the situation had been brought under control.

"We have deployed full-time policemen in the sub-county to help counter any conflict that might arise. We urge IDPs to go back to their original homes of displacement," said Ochora. "We shall deal with anyone who causes more problems."

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