Lira, Uganda – Outrage is brewing in Lira City East Division as residents from five areas demand the immediate release of three men arrested over a land dispute in Awere Swamp.
The arrested individuals-Obete Geoffrey, Obete John, and Richard Omara-were accused of cutting down trees, but residents insist they were falsely implicated and are being punished for protecting their own land.
A crisis meeting held yesterday at Owiny B drew local leaders, including Lira City East Division Mayor George Okello Ayo, Deputy Mayor and Assistant Resident City Commissioner Betty Akello, to address the escalating conflict between residents and land buyers Nasuru Onyaa, William Onyaa and Dr. Emma Odongo.
LC I Chairperson of Owiny B, David Okite, accused Nasuru Onyaa and William Onyaa of secretly selling communal land to Dr. Odongo without residents’ consent.
He further alleged that Dr. Odongo’s men were using pangas, knives and axes to threaten locals, preventing them from accessing water in Awere Swamp.
“I warn all local leaders-no one should use an unauthorized stamp to sell land that belongs to the people,” Okite declared.
LC II Chairperson of Boroboro East Ward, Apollo Onyaa, strongly condemned the arrests, stating that detaining people over land issues without consulting local leaders was unacceptable.
“I have been in office for 25 years, and I have never seen people arrested over minor disputes that can be handled by community leaders,” Onyaa fumed, threatening legal action against the police if they failed to release the three men.
Adding to the pressure, Otuke District Councilor Sam Oweka Eyen demanded immediate intervention from Mayor Okello Ayo and RCC Betty Akello.
He warned that if the men were not released, residents would stage a massive protest at the Lira City East Police Station.
Mayor George Okello Ayo urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that authorities were working to resolve the conflict.
“As leaders, we are fully engaged in solving this issue so that peace prevails,” he said, discouraging any plans for protests.
Assistant RCC Betty Akello revealed after visiting the disputed land that Dr. Odongo had indeed purchased it, but the process lacked transparency.
She pledged to escalate the matter to the City Environmental Authority and the Town Clerk to prevent further conflicts.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Friday to bring all parties together and settle the land dispute once and for all.
Meanwhile, residents remain firm in their demand for the immediate release of Obete Geoffrey, Obete John and Richard Omara, insisting that the arrests were unjustified.
