A 38 year-old man is accused of killing his stepbrother during a dispute over family land in Acinanga Village, Alworoceng Parish, Ibuje Sub County, Apac District. Richard Onapa, who is currently on the run, reportedly got into an argument with his younger brother, Jasper Ekwaro, 24, about whose name should be on the title for the six acre family land. This dispute arose during a government project to register land for acquiring certificates of customary land ownership.
Ekwaro died instantly after being struck by a blunt object around 3 pm on Friday. According to Mr. Bonny Okello, the area LCI chairperson, the argument escalated when Ekwaro insulted his stepbrother, calling him a bastard who had no right to the family land. Onapa responded by throwing stones at Ekwaro, who managed to dodge them. Onapa then grabbed a large piece of firewood and struck Ekwaro on the forehead, causing his immediate death.
The incident was reported to the police by family members, and statements were taken at the scene by officers from Kidilani Police post. Mr. Moses Baranaba, a neighbor and the Ibuje Sub County chief, urged the public to report any sightings of Onapa to the authorities, as he fled after realizing the consequences of his actions. Apac DPC, Mr. Rogers Kapere, confirmed that police investigations into the murder were underway.
Land disputes have become a widespread issue in Uganda, causing distress in many households. A 2020 report titled “Deep Dive into Land Justice in Uganda,” conducted by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, revealed that one in every four Ugandans faces land related injustices. Vulnerable groups such as the poor, widows, and orphans often suffer severe consequences.
The report also highlighted a lack of clarity on how to acquire land legally and securely, with many individuals unaware of fair resolutions for their land-related problems. The costs associated with resolving land disputes often leave many people feeling helpless. The central region, in particular, has seen rampant evictions of bibanja holders, further exacerbating land-related tensions.
A recent report titled “Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Uganda 2024” revealed that 42 percent of Ugandans have been involved in land disputes, with 23 percent experiencing multiple legal problems, with land disputes being the most serious. Older individuals, especially those over 40, are more likely to identify land problems as their most significant issue, according to the report launched by Principal Judge Flavian Zeija on March 21, 2024.
