Fourth Infantry Division Spokesperson Maj. Telesphor Turyamumanya has confirmed the arrest of four individuals for trespassing on private land and damaging fences.
Maj. Turyamumanya stated that the four are currently in police custody and will be presented before the court. They include; Betty Ocwee, Francis Okello among others, they are accused of damaging property owned by compliant cattle farmers.
Maj. Telesphor stated that the four are currently in police custody and will be presented before the court.
The four, all residents of Palaro Sub-County in Gulu District, were reportedly taken into custody between 5-6 pm on Wednesday while using a public address system to encourage locals to participate in the eviction of the Balalo herdsmen from the area.
This development comes as the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) is demanding the unconditional release of these civilian. Members of the group claim the suspects cannot be located from gazzetted detention facilities.
Betty Aol Ocan, the Gulu district Woman Member of Parliament, alleged that attempts to locate the detainees proved unsuccessful, with neither the Gulu Central Police Station nor the 4th Division Barracks holding them.
John Amos Okot, the Agago North Member of Parliament and Secretary General of APG, accused the UPDF of engaging in intimidation and harassment ahead of the planned eviction, creating fear within the local population.
On November 3, President Yoweri Museveni issued an ultimatum to migrant cattle keepers occupying government and private land without proper installations such as fences or water sources for their animals. They were given three weeks to vacate northern Uganda, with the deadline set for Friday, November 24th. The developments surrounding this issue underscore the heightened tensions and complexities involved in addressing land disputes in the region.
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