Acholi Religious Leader Peace Initiative (ARLPI) has condemned the police and the army of brutality on the people of Apaa on Monday while preparing to open up Amuru and Adjumani district borders
Sheik Musa Khelil, the vice chairperson ARLPI who led a team of religious leaders and Gulu district local government local leaders to Apaa on Wednesday said that God himself hates oppression and is never in support of injustices on his people.
Sheik Khelil while addressing the residents of Apaa said, “There was no need for Police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to have used too much force on the unarmed civilians.”
He however called upon the people of Apaa to remain united.
“Do not be divided along party lines for now, you need everybody, we have taken the initiative as religious leaders to pursue this case with President Yoweri Museveni,” Sheil Khelil said.
Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng, the Retired Bishop of Northern Uganda diocese told residents to have hope and trust in the religious leaders saying they will follow up the matter and ensure that it is resolved.
Bishop Onono who was chairing the meeting with the community at Apaa primary school said that their resolution demanding the release of Kilak County Memberof Parliament, Mr Gilbert Olanya and 31 others arrested still stands.
Major general Julius Oketta told residents that the situation at hand needs patience and tolerance and he is there to ensure that no more chaotic incidences occur.
Mr Wilson Kwanya, the Aswa Regional Police Commander maintained that nobody was shot dead since police used only rubber bullets and tear gas.
The community however said there were people still missing.
They included Ms Akello Helen from Coro, Mr Oryema Denis from juka, Mr Ocen Lamaji and Mr Kitara Wilberforce from Ponodyang.
But Aswa RPC appealed to the residents to first follow the missing persons in the police The RPC advised locals to search for the missing persons in police and hospitals.
But by Friday, their whereabouts were still not known.
