Residents of Apaa Township in Amuru district last week petitioned the Speaker of parliament protesting last year’s border demarcation of the area by the ministry of local government.
The petition dated August 15, 2018 signed by 2,252 out of 26,668 residents of Apaa. It was presented to the Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga.
The petition was handed over by 11 residents of Apaa led by their Chairman Wilson Acuma.
The Apaa is located in Pabbo sub county in Amuru district.
Wilson Acuma said by telephone last week that the demarcation of the Apaa border on 13 July last year was ‘‘illegal’’. The demarcation found that Apaa is administratively under Adjumani district, an outcome which was protested by locals and leaders in Amuru who also claim the area.
The Apaa residents also accused state security agencies including Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, Uganda Police and Uganda People`s Defence Force-UPDF of murder, destruction of property, animals and household items.
The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga received the petition and promised to follow up on the issues raised.
Kilak North MP, Anthony Akol says he is waiting for communication from the speaker who promised to get in touch with him.
Apaa which is about 200 square kilometers was controversially declared a conservation area in 2002. The Uganda Wildlife Authority claims that parliament gazetted the area as wildlife reserve after Adjumani district local government declared it part of East Madi Game Reserve.
Amuru district challenged the decision in Court. Local Government Minister Tom Butime also declared the area part of Adjumani district last year October, saying the area is part of Zoka Forest Reserve.
