By Anzoo Evaline; 13th. April 2026

Security leaders from Adjumani and Amuru districts have intensified efforts to restore calm in the troubled Apaa area, following a joint security committee meeting held on Monday 13^th April 2026 with members of the Acholi community living in the disputed area.

The meeting, organized under the directive of the 4th Division Commander, comes in the wake of renewed attacks between the Madi and Acholi communities over a long-standing land dispute four people were killed and two others left with severe injuries.

According to Asea Collin, Police PRO for the North West Nile region,
the violence has unfolded in cycles of attack and retaliation, leaving communities living in fear and uncertainty.

Bakole Rashul, the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO) for the West Nile sub-region, narrated the unfortunate incident.

“On 8th, April, this year, two people from Acholi community, one was injured badly. There’s a child who was killed in the process. As a retaliation, the Acholi community on 10th, April this year also attacked the Madi people. They ended up killing three people and then others are injured. These are unbecoming cultures of civilization. If we are human beings, if we are northerners, if indeed we feel ourselves are useful, why do we kill ourselves? very unfortunate situation,” Rashul said.

Rashul also highlighted the complexity of the conflict, pointing to both boundary disputes and leadership challenges. He urged leaders to adopt a more informed and conflict-sensitive approach.

“There are two aspects in this land conflict. The issue of district boundary should be treated by leaders in a knowledgeable way using a comprehensive approach. I call for improved local governance, continuous engagement, and sensitization of communities to foster a shared understanding of common goals, while cautioning against retaliatory attacks,” he said.

Addressing stakeholders during the meeting, Col. Bainomugisha Nathan, the 501 Brigade Commander of Zoka and Apaa, also emphasized that the conflict reflects deeper underlying challenges that have evolved over time. He noted that factors such as population pressure, political manipulation, and government policies including the gazetting of Apaa as part of East Madi Wildlife Reserve have contributed to tensions.

“The Apaa conflict is a reminder that peace is not given to its fullest. Today, let us take another step towards building it together for the sake of our children and generations to come. The priority for security forces is to prevent further bloodshed, protect lives, and ensure disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than violence,” Nathan said.

Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Toko Swaib, Toko Swaib, strongly denounced the killings.

“I want to condemn in the strongest terms of what happened last week in Ofua East where we have so lost four lives. It started on Tuesday when a baby was found dead, a baby of about 1 year. And then that now was followed with attack where a total of five people were attacked of which the three died. And of these three who died, one is a gentleman called Mamawi Christopher somebody from Moyo. The two ladies who died also one was taken to Obongi but the other one is in Adjumani. I want to appeal to the communities that revenge is not a solution. Leave it to the authorities to manage,” he said

He also questioned the continued violence over land said to belong to the government. He expressed concern over the loss of lives and suggested drastic measures to prevent further clashes.

“Why should the land that belongs to government now become an issue of tension, and people are killing themselves? If this land is for government, why are we allowing people to continue killing themselves there?” he asked.

He revealed that he had earlier proposed the evacuation of residents from the disputed area, pending guidance from higher authorities, emphasizing the need for a structured process.

On his part, Amuru Resident District Commissioner, Geoffrey Osborn Ochen, underscored the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding lives, noting that security operations transcend administrative boundaries.

“Security has no boundaries. We are trying to restrain because the issue is about protecting lives,” Ochen said.

He appealed for calm and urged the deployment of intelligence-led operations, including reinforcement of detachments, to deter external actors who may be fueling violence in the area.

Meanwhile, Col. Shem, the 4th Division Intelligence Officer, reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to act decisively in the face of escalating threats. He acknowledged the intersection of politics and security but maintained that protecting lives remains the top priority.

“It is very hard to separate security from politics, but where there is a condition causing insecurity, we stand firm and separate from politics,” he said.

He warned against the use of traditional weapons in the conflict, describing them as deadly and unacceptable.

“From today onwards, anybody with deadly weapons in the form of bows and arrows must be dealt with decisively,” he cautioned.

The joint meeting marks a renewed push by security agencies to de-escalate tensions in Apaa through dialogue, coordinated enforcement, and community engagement, as leaders on both sides seek lasting solutions to one of the region’s most persistent land conflicts. The meeting is part of the bigger meeting that will be held on Friday 17th April 2026.

Leaders across the West Nile sub-region are now calling for urgent interventions to restore peace and find a lasting solution to the Apaa dispute, warning that continued violence threatens not only lives but also the fragile coexistence between the neighboring communities.

END.