Arua, Uganda – Arua District’s Acting District Health Officer (DHO), Mr. Paul Bishop Drileba met a brutal end on Saturday, November 23, 2024, as he was killed by a mob in Ajia Sub-county.
The tragic incident, tied to an ongoing land dispute, has reignited concerns over the rising violence surrounding land ownership in Uganda.
The attack occurred when Mr. Drileba took a surveyor to assess a piece of land he had purchased in the sub-county.
However, members of the local community claimed part of the land belonged to them and mobilized against the exercise.
Tensions boiled over, leading to a violent confrontation in which Mr. Drileba was killed, and the surveyor was critically injured.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Arua, Swaib Toko, confirmed the incident and lamented the recurring violence in the region.
“The community opposed the surveying activity and mobilized a mob that attacked the Acting DHO and his team. Such lawlessness is unacceptable,” Toko stated.
The mob reportedly abandoned Mr. Drileba’s body at an undisclosed location.
Security forces and investigators, including a team from Arua District and Arua City, have been dispatched to recover the body and investigate the crime.
Ajia Sub-county has become synonymous with deadly land disputes, as its fertile soils and lucrative farmland attract buyers from across the region.
However, many transactions are marred by disagreements between buyers and communities over boundaries and ownership.
Last year, another man was killed in a similar dispute in Ajia, with his body later discovered in a bush.
Persistent violence has drawn attention to the lack of robust mechanisms for resolving land disputes and the dangerous trend of mob justice in Uganda.
Mr. Drileba’s death is not only a loss to his family but also a blow to Arua’s health sector.
Serving as acting DHO for seven years, he was known for his dedication to improving healthcare services in the district.
Prior to his promotion, he had served as District Health Inspector for several years, earning respect from colleagues and the community.
West Nile Police PRO Collins Asea expressed grief over the killing and called for calm as investigations unfolded.
“This is a tragic and senseless act. We are committed to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice,” Asea stated.
The tragic events surrounding Mr. Drileba’s death reflects deeper issues in Uganda’s land management system.
A lack of clear ownership documentation, inadequate conflict resolution mechanisms, and rising land demand have turned disputes into deadly confrontations.
RDC Toko called for government action to address the underlying causes of these disputes.
“The persistent land conflicts in Ajia and other parts of the district require urgent attention. We must prioritize resolving these issues to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
As Arua mourns the loss of a devoted leader, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for reforms to address land-related conflicts and curb the growing trend of mob justice.
