One person was killed and 20 huts were torched in a land wrangle which left more than 60 people homeless in Kitgum district. The wrangle also left an unspecified number of people injured.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred at Dog Nam and Dog Dem villages in Namokora sub-county on Thursday last week.
Police and relatives identified the deceased as Onen Kenneth, son to Opira Hannington, an elder from Namokora but residing in Kitgum town.
One other resident identified as Lakwo Gomeri was seriously injured in the scuffle and was admitted at Namokora Health Centre IV.
Sources said the deceased was allegedly shot twice in the stomach with a bow by one Ociti Walter alias Lagoo before strangling the already injured Onen Kenneth to death.
Acholi Times understand that the wrangle was sparked off when the deceased (Onen Kenneth) with another unidentified person used a tractor to plough a maize garden belonging to Ocitti Walter alias Lagoo act believed to have infuriated Lagoo, prompting him to shoot at the late Onen with his bow.
Lagoo is said to have been in a long-standing wrangle over ownership of the contested land with Opira( father of the deceased) with the matter already before courts in Kitgum.
Sources said court had put an injunction on the said land, meaning no activity should have taken place by either party until the matter is settled.
The killing of Onen infuriated his relatives who immediately descended on Dog Dem village, where the Lagoo and his clan reside. Atleast 20 huts and several granaries were touched in the revenge attack.
The attackers are also said to have ‘‘looted’’ 17 herds of cattle which was removed from them by the police. The animals are being kept at Namokora Police Post.
The LC1 chairperson Dog Dem, Par Nelson who is also a clan brother of the suspect, told Acholi Times that most residents had already fled their homes upon hearing of the killing, in anticipation of the revenge attacks.
“As you can see all our properties were destroyed in the fire, people fled without collecting any belongings. We appeal to government to come to our rescue because the affected people don’t have anywhere to stay,” Par told Acholi Times.
Meanwhile, the suspect -Ociti Walter Lagoo, fled Namokora after his fatal act and handed himself to Kitgum Central Police Station.
The district Police Commander, Jackson Bariyampika told Acholi Times today Monday that the suspect would appear in court on Tuesday.
“He (Lagoo) is in our safe custody after handing himself over to us. We have called witnesses to come and make statements after which he will be produced in court tomorrow,” Bariyampika said.