Gulu, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group, led by Honorable Aol Betty Ocan, the Gulu City Woman MP, strongly criticized the arrest of civilians by UPDF soldiers in connection with the unclear circumstances surrounding the eviction of Balaalo herdsmen from the Acholi sub-region.
This condemnation comes in response to the arrest of five civilians who were picked up from Lugore trading center in Owalo sub-county. The individuals were apprehended while using a public address system to mobilize communities for a meeting called by Rwot Abwoch Patrick Adonia of Palaro chiefdom, addressing concerns about Balaalo infiltration.
The arrested individuals include Acila Martin (32), Francis Okello (32), Onencan Henry (18), Opwonya Ronald (26), and Ocwee Betty (35). They were taken into custody along with a public address system loaded in a white pickup vehicle with registration number UBN 356M.
During a press conference at NUMEC, the MP informed journalists that UPDF officers set up a roadblock at Lugore trading center around 5:00 pm yesterday, accusing the civilians of inciting violence against Balaalo.
Upon visiting Bucoro Police at approximately 1:34 pm yesterday, detainees revealed they were initially taken to the Fourth Division Infantry Headquarters in Gulu City. Later, around 11:00 am, they were transferred from an Army barracks to the police CPS in Gulu district following pressure from politicians making numerous calls to higher authorities.
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During the press conference, Agago North MP Honorable Okot John Amos, who also serves as the secretary-general for APG, expressed dissatisfaction with the UPDF’s arrest of non-violent individuals. He emphasized that civilians should be handled by the police rather than the military.
In response, Maj. Telesphor Turyamanya, the 4th Division Army spokesperson, stated that the arrests were made for dismantling fences belonging to Balaalo.
Recently, State Minister for Northern Uganda Ms. Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny cautioned against taking the law into one’s hands to evict Balaalo, emphasizing that such actions should be left to government agencies to execute Presidential Executive Order number 3.
