A community in turmoil: Adjumani leaders raise alarm over growing insecurity

A cloud of fear and uncertainty hangs over the East Madi Wildlife Reserve communities in Adjumani district.

Residents whisper in hushed tones about the growing insecurity in their villages, all pointing to one name: Brigadier David Byaharunga.

The concerns were first raised by Kaijuka Richard, the leader of the government in the district council, who painted a troubling picture of the situation in Zoka and its surrounding areas.

“The security situation in Nyarima, Nyebeole, Eloku, Mundruangwa, Ngoro West, Ngoro East, Zoka C, Tebeu, and Tanjiri has become hostile,” he stated.

According to him, the brigadier, who had recently been deployed to the area, was at the center of a series of forced evictions that left 119 households in ruins.

“Between December 16, 2024, and January 7, 2025, families were thrown out of their homes, their properties destroyed,” Richard recounted.

The distress in the district has sparked urgent calls for action. John Anyanzo of Ciforo sub-county has appealed to the district chairman to intervene.

“The only way to restore peace is for the district chairman to use his executive powers and write to the division commander and the Minister for Defense, requesting the transfer of Brigadier Byaharunga,” he urged.

Adding his voice to the growing outcry, Anyama Ben, the LC5 chairman of Adjumani district, did not just advocate for the brigadier’s removal but also demanded justice for those who had suffered losses.

“The government must investigate this matter through military intelligence, ensure the transfer of the brigadier, and most importantly, compensate those who lost their property,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the district’s deputy speaker, Masudio Kevin, cited the Ugandan Constitution to highlight the fundamental role of the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF).

“According to the 1995 Constitution, Articles 208 and 209, the UPDF is mandated to protect citizens, not to harm them. Their duty is to safeguard our people, not to subject them to suffering,” she emphasized.

Vowing her support to the affected communities, she called upon the people of Adjumani to unite and defend their land.

As tensions rise, the question remains: will the authorities act quickly to restore peace, or will the people of Adjumani remain in fear?

The fate of the displaced families, as well as the integrity of the region’s security forces, now hang in the balance.