Gunshots, arrests and land tensions: Adjumani rushes to calm Aliwara community

Tension and fear continue to grip residents of Aliwara village in Ngoru West Zone, Zoka Parish, Itirikwa sub-county in Adjumani district following a violent incident on 26 February 2026 that involved members of the Madi community and officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

The situation prompted the district security team led by Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Toko Swaib, accompanied by Col. Nathan Bainomugisha, the commander of the 501 Brigade, to visit the area and hold a community dialogue aimed at restoring calm and clarifying the circumstances that led to the confrontation.

According to reports from residents, the incident began after Oyeti Charles, a member of the Acholi community, allegedly reported to the Intelligence Officer at Zoka Army Barracks, Captain Muhamad Mugeyi, claiming that workers belonging to Achiga Rock Beau had attacked him in his garden.

The report triggered a rapid response from security forces, leading to a confrontation in which more than ten bullets were reportedly fired by UPDF and police officers, creating panic among villagers.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of nine suspects from the Madi community, while several others were questioned.

During the community meeting convened by district authorities, local leaders and residents openly expressed their frustrations and fears regarding the incident.

Speaking during the gathering, the LC1 chairperson of the area, Edema Charles Tabe, expressed deep concern over what he described as longstanding tensions between the community and some security officers.

“During his opening remark expressed his grievances concerning the issue stating that for decades, we have been in pain, suffering in the hands of the UPDF especially the I.O captain Mugeyi who is using his range for torturing us. Please we are suffering,” Edema said.

Meanwhile, Achiga Rock Beau, whose workers were allegedly involved in the incident, strongly denied accusations that his workers had attacked anyone.

He explained that the people found at the scene were simply carrying out communal farming activities on his land.

“What you have come for today is to reach the point where the 42 people have been arrested, and from there nine people have been shortlisted to report to the police,” Achiga said.

“Who brought them there? I’m the one who brought them there to come and do communal planting for me on three acres. Evidence that the army officers who went to my home, the police who went to my home, found food there. Food was ready for them to eat,” he explained.

“They found them with farm tools: hoes and pangas, slushing and digging holes for maize and others were planted,” he added.

Achiga further argued that the land where the farming activity was taking place was not inside the gazetted area and questioned why the problem had suddenly emerged after several years of peaceful use.

“All this time over 5 years I have never had any problem. Even if you go to where I’m still settled there. There’s been no problem. Why did the problem come up the other day?” he asked.

Providing his side of the story, I.O Captain Muhamad Mugeyi, who is stationed at Zoka Army Barracks, defended the actions taken by security forces.

“On that day, Mr Oyeti Charles came to me and reported that Mzee Peter had brought people to beat him. As I told you when you come to me whether you were madi whether you were Bantu whether you are Acholi I respond immediately,” he explained.

“I had to come to the ground. He showed me a group of people who are 42 in number with pangas and hoes. I told them where the problem is. The problem is between a boundary,” Mugeyi added.

He further stated that the conflict appeared to arise from a boundary dispute involving different families.

“Mzee Peter is showing a boundary which comes to the same land. And Lomu and his family are also showing a different boundary. And now Mzee Alex had to mobilise people to come and fight for that boundary,” he said.

According to the officer, after consultations, individuals believed to be ring leaders were identified and handed over to the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, District Land Surveyor Akuku Charles provided historical clarification about the land in question, explaining that the area was previously part of the East Madi Control Hunting Area.

“Previously this entire area was protected land and it was referred to as the East Madi Control Hunting Area. 875 km out of 1702 was the degazette and the remaining 827 square kilometres was now gazetted as East Madi wildlife reserve,” he said.

He added that although part of the land was later de-gazetted due to population pressure, the land does not belong to any individual but remains under the jurisdiction of Adjumani district.

Addressing the gathering, Col. Nathan Bainomugisha, commander of the 501 Brigade in Zoka, urged residents to remain patient and respect the guidance provided by district authorities.

“My advice to you community members is stop renting the land under the court in Apaa and Zoka. Kindly don’t sell this land. The land still belongs to the government,” he advised.

He also warned residents against engaging in land transactions that could fuel further conflict and encouraged them to wait for the findings of a government commission of inquiry expected to visit Apaa and Zoka to advise on the way forward.

RDC Toko Swaib emphasised that the role of the district security team is not to determine land ownership but to ensure peaceful coexistence among communities.

“Our coming here is to create peace,” the RDC said.

He reminded residents that under the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, land belongs to the people and any Ugandan can settle anywhere in the country as long as the land is legally acquired.

The RDC also urged residents to listen to each other with patience and avoid provoking one another during discussions.

As tensions surrounding land ownership continue to simmer in Apaa and Zoka, the intervention by the district security team highlights the growing need for dialogue, patience, and clear government direction to prevent further conflict and ensure lasting peace among the communities living in the area.