Concerned stakeholders across Adjumani district have made a passionate appeal to the Madi Paramount Chief of the Lopirigo Madi Cultural Institution, to urgently intervene in the growing crisis of land wrangles tearing apart communities in the region.
During a cultural festival held at the Paridi stadium, cultural leaders, local council authorities, elders, youth representatives, and civil society members unanimously voiced their concern over the increasing land-related conflicts, which have become a source of premature deaths, long-standing grudges, and disunity among the Madi people.
Speaking at the event, Atoba Kilo, the LC1 chairperson of Paridi village, emphasized that the traditional institution holds significant influence and respect among the Madi people.
Atoba stated that cultural institution should therefore take a leading role in resolving land disputes before they escalate into violence.
“Your Highness, we are seeing brothers turning against each other, clans breaking ties, and entire communities living in fear because of unresolved land issues,” Kilo said.
“We appeal to our cultural father, the Lopirigo, to take a bold stand and use his authority to guide the people back to dialogue, truth, and reconciliation,” Atoba added.
Stella Ababiku, a women representative from Ofua sub-county, shared a heartbreaking story of how two brothers recently clashed over a piece of land inherited from their late father.
The clash, he said, led to the death of one and the imprisonment of the other.
“These deaths are preventable. If we return to our roots and involve the cultural institution in dispute resolution, we can restore peace in our families,” she said tearfully.
Obumai Simon Peter, Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani also highlighted the erosion of cultural norms and the weakening of clan leadership structures as one of the drivers of the rising land conflicts.
He proposed that the Madi Cultural Institution should revive traditional land arbitration practices, strengthen clan leadership, and offer cultural education especially among the youth.
“Since I assumed office last year, the highest number of file I have got is for land issue so your highness Iam requesting you to help us in solving this matter within the community because we believe us cultural chiefs, you know who the right owners of this lands are,” Obumai stated.
Responding to the outcry, the Lopirigo Opi Suru Simon Baru, has urged the office of the RDC to refer all the files of land issues to his office. He has also assured the gathering that the cultural institution acknowledges the seriousness of the issue and is committed to engaging stakeholders in formulating a cultural-based approach to land conflict resolution.
“Now on the issue of the land, I want to urged the various offices in the district and in the region to refer all the land issues into my office now that I have been given the power as the Lopirigo of the Madi cultural institution and I am committed to my duties with the help of my chiefs,” said His Highness Opi Suru Simon Baru.
Reports from the Adjumani district security office indicate that land wrangles now account for over 60% of local disputes filed at police stations and community courts.
Many of these cases have resulted in physical confrontations, loss of property, and in some tragic cases, death.
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