Arua District – The Minister of State for Urban Development, Hon. Obiga Kania, has blamed some politicians in West Nile for being responsible for the rampant border disputes and land wrangles in the region. Hon. Obiga Kania made the remarks while handing over physical development plans for the five refugee-hosting districts in West Nile at Desert Breeze Hotel in Arua City.
Hon. Obiga Kania was responding to a concern raised by the RDC of Obongi, Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, regarding border disputes between Moyo and Yumbe districts on one side and Obongi district on the other. These disputes have led to insecurity, destruction of property, and threats to people’s lives.
Hashaka cited a case during the national population and housing census in which Yumbe district officials held an enumerator and the LC 1 Chairman of Kochi village at gunpoint and kidnapped the enumerator. He also referenced a recent incident in which a district councillor from Yumbe led a group of hooligans to destroy government property, including signposts, claiming that the signposts put up by Obongi district were on Yumbe district land.
Additionally, Hashaka mentioned another dispute between Obongi and Moyo districts over a border issue, which resulted in the burning and destruction of property, including houses. He also highlighted a recent attack on the Palorinya Subcounty headquarters, where property was destroyed, civil servants were assaulted, and over 17 million shillings were stolen.
In response, Hon. Obiga Kania blamed politicians for instigating the border disputes in a bid for cheap popularity. He warned the leaders involved in these disputes to stop the harmful practice, stating that some of them incite people to fight and, in the end, are not elected, leaving behind confusion.
The Minister assured the public that the Ministry of Lands, together with the Ministry of Local Government, is working on modalities to address the border disputes. He also urged leaders in West Nile to avoid confusing the people with ongoing border conflicts.
Regarding the district physical development plans handed over to the leaders of the five refugee-hosting districts in West Nile, Hon. Obiga Kania advised them to use the plans for development and avoid inter-border disputes that could hinder the much-anticipated progress.
The district development plans, fully sponsored by the government through the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, were approved by the National Physical Planning Board in June 2024.
