Government has ordered all encroachers on Zoka forest reserve and the contested Apaa land to vacate within 90 days from today.

This is contained in a cabinet decision communicated by the prime minister and leader of government business Robinah Nabbanja while meeting leaders from Adjumani district at Adjumani district headquarters.

The 40 square kilometer is of the contested Apaa land is being claimed by Adjumani District in West Nile and Amuru in Northern Uganda as well as the Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA, as part of the East Madi Game Reserve.

Nabbanja says that the cabinet agreed that the contested land be vacated to pave way for gazzetement for the benefit of the future generations.

Nabbanja says that the government provided 2.5bn shillings to compensate verified genuine households with 10 million shillings, 20 iron sheets and 20 bags of cement to enable them to relocate to other places.  

She appealed to local leaders to support the government intervention to resolve the long-standing conflict.

Since 2012, deadly ethnic clashes between the Acholi and their neighboring Madi Community over Apaa land have resulted in the death of over 20 people, several forced disappearances, injuries, and displacement of families.

The minister for local government Raphael Magyezi told the meeting that the contested Apaa market will be closed within 30 days from to date.

On behalf of the people of Adjumani the LC 5 Ben Anyama and Ababiku Jesca the woman MP Adjumani welcomed the position on resolving the conflict.

The prime minister with the minister for security Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and other ministers later met the leaders of Amuru to communicate the government position.

According to reports, varying perceptions by the Acholi and Madi ethnic communities, increased agitation and economic importance being attached to the contested area and political interest are major causes of the Apaa unrest.