Adjumani. In response to escalating conflict and violence in the disputed Apaa area, the Adjumani District Security Committee has implemented a ban on commercial charcoal production and logging. The decision comes amid concerns that illegal activities such as charcoal burning and lumbering within protected areas are exacerbating tensions and contributing to deadly clashes.
Peter Taban Data, the Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, emphasized that the ban aims to deter individuals from engaging in illicit activities that fuel conflict in the region. He highlighted the need to prevent further bloodshed by restricting access to the disputed area and curtailing activities that provoke violence.
The recent clashes in Apaa resulted in six fatalities and 11 injuries, with several grass-thatched huts destroyed in attacks between November 29 and December 1, 2023. Ben Anyama, the Adjumani LC V Chairperson, urged illegal occupants to vacate the protected areas voluntarily to prevent further violence between the Acholi and the Madi communities. He also called on the government to expedite the commission of inquiry into the Apaa land conflict, chaired by Retired Chief Justice Bart Katureebe.
The security committee’s decision to ban charcoal production and logging aligns with efforts to address the root causes of conflict and promote peace in the region. With an estimated 40,000 illegal settlers entering the disputed Apaa land in the past four months, urgent action is needed to resolve the longstanding dispute between Adjumani and Amuru districts, as well as the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The disputed Apaa land, encompassing approximately 827 sq km, remains a contentious issue, with multiple stakeholders claiming ownership rights. As tensions persist, initiatives aimed at mitigating conflict and facilitating dialogue are essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
