The the cultural head of the Acholi people has condemned the recent fire incident in Koch Goma Sub County in Nwoya district where atleast members of 33 households were left homeless after their huts were set ablaze in a revenge attack.
The Acholi paramount chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II told TheUgandan the act of deliberately setting fire into people huts and garden was ‘inhuman and a disturbing situation’.
He blamed the incidents on internal conflicts among the people in Northern Uganda resulting from land disputes and a way rich people think could aid their desires to forcefully evict tenants.
Chief Onenachana said “We are cautioning the clan leaders to always speak the truth to the people and as well as uniting them together in order to iron out the disputes germinating among the communities.
“The Acholi cultural institution don’t support unlawful act of destroying the people’s property and taking laws into their hands and thus we are promising to hunt down the culprits and hand them to Police.
Mr John Bosco Okullu the Koch Goma sub county Chairperson has also condemned the incident and also urged all stakeholders to work together to investigate the matter and punish the culprits.
During last Wednesday’s fires in Nwoya, the victims were identified as members of Punok and Amaar clans, whose huts were torched by aggrieved members of Aceng clan to avenge the death of five of their members who perished in a house fire on January 05, 2017. Police identified the deceased as John Kennedy Oketa-ayot Wod Achieng, 45, a businessman, his wife Agnes Apiyo, 32 and their three children; Nyapolo Rebecca, 6, John Gum-kura, 4 and Angel Laker Angel Lucky,2
The Nwoya District Police Commander Daniel Okello, says the violence was triggered by the release on bail of David Livingstone Lakony, proprietor of Hotel Davitine in Gulu Town and prime suspect in the arson attack.
Meanwhile, those picked up in connection to the fire include the Acheng clan head, Justin Olwedo, Martin Olwedo, Ben Okello and two others Ojok Pa Achiro, Ocitti Pa Obel.
The displaced persons have now sought refuge from their relatives and friends living outside Koch Goma Sub County as clan leaders hold mediation meetings to resolve the impasse.
Police is also still investigating the cause of the fire that gutted Anaka Hospital in Nwoya District, destroying plumbing materials and furniture estimated to be worth several million shillings.
