Hundreds of homeless residents cry out for help in Zombo

By Mike Rwothomio

More than 150 homeless residents of Labora village Otheko parish Paidha sub county Zombo district, have voiced their concerns to the government and well-wishers as hunger and lack of clothes continue to hit them hard in a temporary camp set up for them in Pubidhi primary school in Nebbi district. #WhisperEyeNews

The residents became victims of circumstance after their 76 houses were torched in retaliation by the angry community of Avonu from Amei parish Paidha Sub-county, who accused them of deliberately murdering their relatives.

The two whose throats were slit by the angry mob of Labora village along Zingili river on allegations of stealing a goat in the area were both dumbs.

Their killings led to the torching of houses and looting of many property like foot crops, goats, chickens, and Iron sheets amongst others by angry relatives on claims that the two were innocently murdered.

The situation for the homeless residents is getting dire every time that is passing by with no food to eat notwithstanding the provision of shelter, by the administration of Pubidhi primary school in Nebbi district.

What makes the situation more alarming is the cries of children many of whom have spent days without food.

Ronald Jagen 39, thanks security for keeping the peace but cry out for help saying they don’t know where to start.

” I don’t have anything to eat, all our clothes and everything got burnt in the house. the government tried their part to protect us but how are we going to take these kids back to school” The tearful Jagen told Some leaders who gathered to listen to their plights at Pubidhi primary school.

A mother who wept when making a speech said” All the uniforms and other scholastic materials are all gone, how are we going to take these children back to school” she asked before appealing for some financial assistance from the government and well-wishers.

Patrick Anyolitho 62 said,” Is there any way that we can be compensated ? Because we lost so many property that we can’t document for instance my six new iron sheets, goats, and all the house Properties were all looted”.

Mary Okecha 57, said 5 of her goats were looted when she was witnessing but added that she wouldn’t help since the angry mob was so charged and ready to kill.

The latest report indicates that the houses that got burnt completely in Labora village were 76, housing 196 people including children according to CEFORD UG, a non-governmental organization that was on the ground to assess facts about the homeless residents.

The LC3 chairperson of Paidha Sub-county William Okethi told hundreds of homeless residents that he had forwarded the message to the state minister of northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny about what had happened pending feedback.

Since the office of the state minister of northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny has been posted about the matter, it’s high time the residents re-started construction of their burnt houses according to the deputy RDC of Zombo Grace Atim.

Atim also assured the community that the school administration shall not chase them away for the time being notwithstanding the resumption of studies on Monday 27th May.

“You need to take heart and start rebuilding your homes as we wait for the response from the government. I want to let you know that this school administration can’t chase you away from this area” Atim Said 

The DPC of Zombo ASP Nelson Nahabwe whilst addressing the homeless community at Pubidhi primary school cautioned residents against taking laws into their hands noting that it was the springboard to the saga witnessed.

The RDC of Zombo District Rtd Lt Col Pius Alitema and his counter from Nebbi district Robert Abak have assured the community of guaranteed safety.

Yesterday, Authorities from Paidha central police station visited the bereaved community of Avonu in Amei Parish Paidha Sub County to hold talks and condole with them.

Whisper Eye will keep you posted.