The Kilak North Member of Parliament, Anthony Akol is demanding a public apology from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni over what he described as a ‘’reckless statement on Apaa’’.
Akol who is also the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) Chairperson expressed disappointment with the President`s public statement in Gulu City in which he declared that the disputed Apaa land is in the Madi area.
Ownership of the Apaa land is being contested between the Madi community of the Adjumani district and Acholi of the Amuru district.
The unrest has reportedly caused the death of 29 people since it ensued in 2012. The latest violence caused the killing of four people and several injuries in what is believed to have been perpetrated by the Madi community.
"I wish to communicate to the government of the Republic of Uganda that as the Acholi community, we are very disappointed, especially by the statement that came from the president of the Republic of Uganda that the area of Apaa is in Madi." He said.
He faulted the President for overriding the responsibilities of the recently appointed judicial commission of inquiries established to unearth the conflict, establish the boundary of the area, and design lasting solutions to the problem.
"We condemn it in the strongest terms because recently we were excited and happy that the president of the Republic of Uganda has appointed the commission of inquiry and we thought these were people who were going to come out with facts that would help to sort out the problem of Apaa. But in this situation where the president goes ahead to announce even in Gulu city that Apaa belongs to Madi.’’ Akol fumed.
While gracing the Light Acholi for Jesus Crusade at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City this month President declared that Apaa belongs to Madi.
Akol points out that such a statement calls for an apology from the President, whom he says undermined his neutrality as the head of state, and sided with those perpetrating gross rights abuses in the area.
"It is very frustrating and disappointing and we want an apology from the president of the Republic of Uganda now. So that the independent judiciary commission inquiry should appear to be independent.
