Summary:

• The State Minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Kwiyucwiny, has announced a government investigation into individuals ferrying non-residents from central Uganda to settle in the contested Apaa land, following a UPDF report revealing a significant non-local population engaging in activities that deplete the vegetation cover.

---

The State Minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Kwiyucwiny, has disclosed that the government has instructed relevant authorities to launch an inquiry into the motives of certain individuals allegedly transporting residents from central Uganda, who are not native to the Apaa land, and resettling them in the disputed Apaa territory, particularly the Zoka Forest Reserve.

Minister Kwiyocwiny made this announcement recently while addressing the media regarding the successful implementation of Presidential Executive Order Number 03 of 2023.

The decision to investigate those ferrying individuals from central Uganda to Apaa stems from a recent report by the UPDF, which revealed that out of the 80,000 people inhabiting Apaa, 80 percent are neither Acholi nor Madi. Only 20 percent were identified as Madai and Acholi, respectively.

The minister expressed government concern about the reasons behind transporting people from central districts of Uganda, such as Luweero, Mityana, Bugweri, Kyankwanzi, Mukono, Iganga, and Tororo, to Apaa, a region marked by tension.

According to the minister, these non-residents are contributing to the depletion of vegetation cover through extensive commercial charcoal businesses.

Last week, numerous individuals reportedly residing illegally in Apaa, with the majority having been transported from central Uganda, were ordered by the 4th Infantry Division commander to vacate Apaa promptly.

This directive followed a recent attack attributed to unknown assailants, resulting in the death of six people and injuries to 11 others.

In response to the ultimatum, the affected individuals sought transportation assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister in Gulu City to return to their respective districts. However, their appeals were unsuccessful as OPM officials informed them that the government would not provide aid due to an earlier order to vacate the land issued earlier in the year.

Nevertheless, the minister disclosed that these affected individuals were subsequently transported back to their respective districts on a UPDF truck provided by the 4th Infantry Division commander. This affected population comprised women, men, and children seen wandering in Gulu City with their belongings on their heads.