Legislators from West Nile have called on President Yoweri Museveni to convene an emergency meeting to address the escalating Apaa land crisis and find lasting solutions, following the recent surge in violence.
In a press briefing at Parliament, the West Nile MPs expressed deep concern over the increasing violence in the disputed Apaa region, which has resulted in four deaths, including a UPDF soldier, and several injuries within a week.
The lawmakers, led by Geoffrey Feta, Chairperson of the West Nile Parliamentary Group, Adjumani District Woman MP Jessica Ababiku, Obongi Constituency MP Dr. George Didi Bohka, and Adjumani East MP James Mamawi and Upper Madi MP Joachim Etuka urged President Museveni to intervene urgently.
The MPs revealed that the violence, which reignited on March 27, was linked to a longstanding land dispute and has since claimed four lives, with many others left injured. They emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and ensuring the safety of the affected communities.
Despite heavy security deployment in the area, the MPs expressed frustration that the situation remains volatile, with many people still at risk. They questioned the effectiveness of the UPDF and Police presence in the region, wondering what role these forces are playing if the situation continues to worsen.
The legislators voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s response, feeling it has not done enough to address the crisis, especially considering the overwhelming political support that the Madi Sub-region has shown to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The MPs called on the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and other relevant authorities to provide medical care and food for the injured and affected. They also vowed to boycott the upcoming West Nile Peace Day celebration in Yumbe District as a form of protest.
They are pushing for an emergency meeting with President Museveni to address the crisis and come up with lasting solutions. The MPs warned that if the situation does not improve, it could harm the NRM’s prospects in the 2026 elections.
In addition, the lawmakers expressed frustration over what they perceive as favoritism toward the Acholi region in cabinet appointments, which they feel has hindered efforts to resolve the Apaa conflict. They urged security forces to arrest individuals inciting violence and work toward restoring peace in the region.
