Zombo Residents abandon homes over possible armed attacks

More than  180 residents of the rural Paidha Sub County in Zombo District,  have abandoned their homes,  over what they claim looming threat and attack by their rival community. #UgandaNews #Uganda #News

In May this year, The currently displaced residents of Labora village,  Otheko Parish Paidha Sub_County Came under serious attack,  after some of them reportedly lynched two youths with hearing impairment in the area on allegations of theft.

According to the report,  the two went fishing along River Zingili in that particular village where they met their death only for their bodies to be discovered by farmers.

Hell broke loose shortly after Information about  tragic death of the two young men reached their   relatives and friends from Amei Parish in Paidha Sub_County. They retaliated by setting alight more than 70 huts,  before looting and destroying many properties leaving Hundreds without shelter and food.

The internally displaced persons most of whom were children below the age of 10 for the past three months were accorded refuge at Pubidhi primary school in Nebbi Municipality.

Recently, they were advised by Authorities to return to their homes.

The Headteacher of Pubidhi Primary  School Kizito Oryem confirmed to Whisper Ey news that the displaced persons left the school premises but are taking refuge at relatives or friends’ places whilst others have travelled to far-off places.

He said the displaced persons are alleging that their rival community are planning an onslaught on them.

” These people have refused to go back to their villages, they say they can’t risk their lives up there, as I talk now, many are within this village” Oryema explained.

The Whisper Eye News understands that some of them are selling their lands cheaply.

Getting comments from the area LC1 Chairperson of Labora village Otheko Parish  Eric Owonda  and The LC3 Chairperson of Paidha Sub_County William Okethi  Proved Futile.

However, Benard Orach  The LC 1 chairperson of Avonu central , Amei Parish Paidha Sub_ County, who is an uncle to one of the deceased denied  the allegations saying they had calmed down their people.

He said “We are now taking legal direction and we really advised our people not to take the law into their hands”.

Shortly after the May 25th incident, The Woman MP of Zombo also the commissioner of Parliament Esther Afoyochan, had committed to harmonising the relationship between the two rival Communities. However, the dialogue is still to be witnessed.

“What I’m going to do as a leader, is that as much as possible seek dialogue,  I have therefore asked the two communities to come together, of course, I’m going to facilitate the sitting and make sure that we end this as harmoniously as possible,” She Said.

Recently, a man was apprehended and detained at Paidha Central Police on allegation of  being amongst suspects who masterminded  the murder of the two.