RESIDENTS CAMP AT NEBBI POLICE STATION AFTER INTER-CLAN FIGHTS

BY PATRICK OKABA

Nebbi. Over 130 clan members of Jupa-Nyang in Parwath village,Adolo parish, Ndhew Sub County in Nebbi district have camped at Nebbi police station following inter clan fights.

The clan members who are currently taking refuge at Nebbi police station were forcefully evicted from their land by the three neighboring clans of Jupu- Ujok, Jupa-Jaldo and Jupa-Alubeto-Odar who are claiming the same disputed land.

The inter clan clashes which started on Monday have left the clan members of Jupa-Nyang homeless while  others  sustained serious injuries from panga cuts.

The District police Officer Aminsi Kayondo confirmed that close to 150 clan members of Jupa-nyang arrived at Nebbi police station on Thursday morning seeking for refuge but they did not have enough space for accommodation and food to feed them.

“We only managed to provide Posho for making porridges to feed the children and their mothers who have not eaten for the whole day,” he said.

Kayondo reveals that as police they are taking all measures to ensure that the affected clan members get justice.

He says they haven’t received any death reports, but those that sustained injuries in the scuffle are being treated at Nebbi hospital.

William Okumu one of the elders of the Jupa-Nyang clan says, the Jupa-nyang clan have stayed in the disputed land since 1940 and historically the land was left by their great grand fathers.

Okumu who managed to escape the attack said that his clan members lack what to eat and clothes since all their properties were destroyed during the attack.

“We were attacked with bows and arrows in the wee hours of Monday and they forced us to leave our land and all our properties were looted, huts burnt and the food crops were all destroyed”, Okumu said.

Okumu said in 2013, his uncle went to court over the estimated 50 acres of the disputed land with the three clan members but when court ordered for their arrest, they over powered the police who had gone to execute the arrest. He says his uncle who was following up the case in the courts of law died and the fight erupted afresh.

However, the LC 3 Chairman Ndhew sub county Mr Bosco Okwai has urged government and any well-wishers to provide some relief aid to the affected people.

He further urges the communities of Ndhew sub county to focus on development rather than fighting one another.He adds that, due to the land conflict in Ndhew the sub county, the area has remained behind in terms of development and education because the little time is spent in court.

 “People have failed to develop our place because we have failed to understand our land boundaries and those with the knowledge like the cultural leaders are not helping the younger generations,” Okwai said.