Tabu Butagira
11 December 2011
President Museveni has been sucked into the infighting between his aide, a judge, top IGG official and departmental heads that has stalled development in the new Agago District.
Mzee Maracilian Okori Layika, who led a 25-member team of elders, told the President in a meeting at Barlege State Lodge in Otuke District on Thursday, that intrigue, business rivalry and intransigence by top officials has dipped Agago into crisis.
“We want to restore the prestige of the Acholi culture and to promote reconciliation not just in Acholi but in the whole country. Politics should not interfere in the leadership of our communities,” Mr Layika said, according to a statement issued by State House.
Officials reported to Mr Museveni for action included High Court Judge Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo, the Inspectorate of Government’s Director of Operations, James Penywii, who reportedly owns a business company in the district, and Pader district chairman Peter W’Oceng as well as his rival E. Y. Komakech.
The State House statement, without giving specifics, quoted elders telling President Museveni that there is “intense political fight between High Court Judge Owiny Dollo and the LC5 chairman for Agago district, Mr Peter W’ocheng.” Justice Owiny Dollo is a former MP who represented Agago and at the time served as junior minister for Northern Uganda.
Also named in the wrangles are Alebtong Chief Administrative Officer, Leonard Opio Ojok, reported to be a brother to Justice Dollo and Mr Walter Ladwar, a former lawyer-turned-businessman.
The elders said the cracks emerged during the February elections but bickering parties spurned efforts made in April to reconcile them. It is understood the elders wrote to the adversely named individuals on April 14, imploring them to work together but most of the politicians snubbed the call, sparking fear and outrage. “Who has brought this problem? People want to destroy our child (new district) before it grows. This does not help Agago,” Mr Layika lamented.
Following the complaints, including allegations of high level fraud, forgery, threats and corruption, Mr Museveni offered to step in to resolve the impasse. He said: “We have to do everything to bring development to this region. I will invite the people involved in this including the judge in a meeting to resolve this issue.” Agago was carved out of Pader District last year. The elders said they are traumatised by the altercations and want the rivals to work together.
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