Zombo: 24 huts torched after one killed in a protracted land  dispute

By Mike Rwothomio

At least 24 huts were set alight by irate residents in a retaliatory attack in Olyeku Pambu village, Cana Parish, Paidha Sub county Zombo district on December 1, 2024.

This after a resident of the area only identified as Juma , died as a result of fights with the neighboring community over land ownership, according to local leaders.

The LCIII chairperson of Paidha Sub-County  William Okethi confirmed the incident, calling for amicable ways of resolving misunderstandings.

” This incident happened on Sunday evening whereby 24 houses were burnt in Olyeku Pambu village, according to reports, the incident was triggered by the death of a man only identified Juma, who was allegedly killed as a result of land wrangle” Okethi told this publication in an interview.

He added that no arrest has been made, but calm was later restored in the area, following heavy security deployment to pacify  the tense situation.

Police from Paidha central Police station visited and documented  crime scene of the incident,  that has rendered homeless  hundreds,  many of whom are children and women.

The Assistant resident district commissioner of Zombo Bruno Mananu assured of bringing the culprits to book, before cautioning residents against taking laws in their hands

“We caution the community against taking laws in their hands Incase you have any grievance, you can use lawful means of addressing it” Mananu explained.

The Westnile regional Police Spokesperson Collins Asea shared sketchy detail about the incident, saying  “Still waiting for update from District Police Commander  zombo”

Zombo in recent months, has seen uptick in bloody land disputes , that  claim lives, destroy properties  leaving innocent residents homeless and languishing in abject poverty.

Similar harrowing  incidences  has been recently registered  in  the same Paidha Sub County, Nyapea, Aka, Jangokoro and Atyak Sub Counties.

In a recent district  council sitting at rolling star hall in Warr  town council, the Zombo district Resident Commissioner Festus Ayikobua, called for concerted efforts in resolving rampant land disputes in the area, noting of how widespread  the cases are.

Though the  1995 Ugandan  Constitution formally recognizes customary land ownership, this publication understands that  few people  rarely recognized it in Zombo district, where reports say more than 90 percent are under customary ownership.

However, Stella Biryema, who heads the human rights desk at Life Concern, the Zombo based non governmental organization, advised community to embrace official land registration exercise, to fend off rampant disputes over land.

The King of Alur His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III, has been repeatedly voicing his appeal to his subjects, against shedding blood on land related matters.