Koboko District Chairperson Survived dangerous Shooting Scare in Border Dispute with Yumbe.
By Our Reporter
Koboko–Koboko District Chairperson, Mr. Mambu Asirafu, on Tuesday survived being shot during a tense standoff over a border dispute between Koboko and Yumbe districts.
The incident occurred at a contested border point when Asirafu was leading residents of Koboko to erect a signpost demarcating Koboko District.
According to eyewitnesses, security personnel led by Maj. Omoch Joseph, who was dressed in Uganda Peoples Defence Air Force uniform, alongside others in police and UPDF uniform, uprooted the newly planted Koboko signpost and loaded it onto their pickup.
The action sparked resistance from the community led by the district chairperson, who accused the security forces of siding with Yumbe District to grab land belonging to Koboko.
Tension escalated when soldiers reportedly cocked their guns, with Maj. Omoch allegedly threatening that he had 700 bullets to use against the people of Koboko.
Residents, however, stood their ground, saying they were ready to die as a sacrifice to defend their land which they claim is being taken by Yumbe with the support of the army, police and Ministry of Water and Environment.
At the height of the confrontation, the soldiers reportedly aimed their guns at LC5 Chairperson Asirafu and members of the community who were crying and lamenting.
The situation was brought to normal by the Koboko Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, who intervened and ordered the soldiers not to shoot.
RDC Hashaka Mpimbaza has called for calm among both the security personnel and residents as efforts to resolve the long-standing border dispute between the two districts continue.
The RDC Koboko Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka informed the residents of Koboko that the Prime Minister Rt Hon Robina Nabanja was coming to west Nile to sort out the matter of border disputes between Yumbe and the neighbouring district that include; Koboko, Terego, Moyo and Obongi.
Hashaka therefore called for peace and amicable settlement of the land wrangles to avoid insecurity and blood shed.
Hashaka also promised to call an emergency Securty meeting about the matter.
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