Lira, Uganda – Controversy erupted in Lira City on December 17 after the arrest of two prominent local leaders, Speaker Daniel Okello of Lira City West Division and Female Workers Representative Sarah Awor Angweri.
The pair were detained by police following accusations of inciting violence during an inspection of the USMID project at Adyel Children’s Park.
The incident unfolded when Lira City officials, including Mayor Sam Atul and Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Lawrence Egole, visited the site to assess the completion of a construction project by Abubakar Technical Services.
The company, which has been handling the park’s development, was preparing to hand the completed site over to the City Council.
According to RCC Egole, Okello and Awor caused a disruption by raising tensions with the public and questioning the legitimacy of the ongoing works.
Despite their attempts to stir unrest, the local community reportedly remained calm and did not engage in the confrontation.
Egole, frustrated with the disruption, called in police officers to defuse the situation.
“We cannot allow such behavior to derail the progress we’re making for the people of Lira,” Egole stated.
Okello and Awor were arrested and taken to Lira City West Division Central Police Station before being transferred to Lira City Central Police Station (CPS).
In their defense, Okello claimed that his presence at the inspection was at the invitation of local community members.
He further argued that it was his responsibility, as an elected representative, to ensure the proper execution of development projects in his area.
Okello also raised concerns about the project’s impact on the local water supply, which he believed had not been sufficiently addressed.
The arrest took a dramatic turn when Okello collapsed later that evening, leading to his hospitalization at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and as of now, he remains under medical care.
Both Okello and Awor are expected to provide their statements to the police on December 18.
This latest incident adds to growing tensions within Lira City’s political scene, leaving many to question the true motivations behind the public dispute.
