Arrests as security foils joint Lango leaders meeting over k’jong raid

20 April 2023, 2:57 pm

Otuke-20th April 2023: Scores of leaders across districts in Lango have been arrested by police after a failed security meeting to address the theft of animals allegedly by Karamojong cattle raiders. The botched meeting was to be held in Acan-pii Primary school, Ogwete sub county, Otuke district.

Early Thursday Morning, security said the meeting could not take place at the school because it would disrupt the learners and this compelled the organizers to shift the venue to Otuke district council hall.

Among those being held are Otuke district LCV chairperson Francis Abola, Lira district speaker Morris Adem, Adwir sub county LCIII chairperson in Alebtong Paddy Francis Ogwang, Isaac Apenyo, the LCIII chairperson of Omoro in Alebtong and Peter Obong Acuda, the speaker of Apac district local government.

Our reporter who witnessed the incident said policed barricaded all the roads leading to Otuke town and forced these leaders out of their vehicles before they were arrested. Francis Abola was whisked away towards Otuke police central police station while the LCIII chairpersons who had sneaked through feeder roads were arrested while taking tea in a restaurant.

David Kennedy Odongo, the dean of LCV chairpersons in Lango who convened the meeting said security has accused them of attempting to use the meeting to incite the community.

‘When I arrived, the police told me we shall not have the meeting because it is illegal, they ordered me out of my vehicle and I obliged but when they tried to apprehend me, my driver resisted and we drove away” Odongo narrated his ordeal.

SP Jimmy Patrick Okema when contacted said he was not aware of any joint council meeting of Lango leaders in Otuke and did not comment on the arrests of the leaders.

This comes on the backdrop of theft of over 30 cows from Acan-pii village last night according to the area LCI chairperson Victor Omara

Meanwhile, Sam Opio, the area LCV councilor of Acan-pii parish says they have been advised by the army to collectively house their animals in one kraal for better protection by soldiers.

A few days Lango parliamentary Group also made a clarion call to president Museveni to intervene and put a stop to theft of animals by the karamojong who constantly invade the districts of Otuke.

The Mps included Otuke district woman MP Susan Abeja, Otuke East MP Julius Acon and their letter was authored by LPG secretary general who is Kole North MP Dr. Opio Acuti.

By Frank Oyugi and Bobson Opio