By Mike Rwothomio

Local leaders and officials from the Alur Kingdom have united in a bid to de-escalate tensions and resolve a violent land-related conflict in Zombo District, where mob action has claimed life and heightened insecurity in Atyak Sub-county.

The initiative comes days after the lynching of a 70-year-old woman, identified as Selethina Mandhawun, in a land dispute, and a separate attack on a man known only as Acelam, who was assaulted while farming on land he had legally won in court.

These incidents have turned a long-standing resource-based conflict into a bloody confrontation, prompting urgent community intervention.

During a high-level community dialogue convened on Friday, April 17, at Atyak Sub-county headquarters, Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, Zombo District Police Commander (DPC) SP Job Mutegeki and Atyak Sub-county leadership, issued a strong joint warning against mob justice and land disputes.

The meeting brought together Atyak Sub-County's LCI chairpersons , veteran soldiers, and other key actors.

SP Mutegeki specifically cautioned some LCI chairpersons against inciting or fueling mob violence in land matters, warning of serious consequences.

“Security is here, it is available to help you. Chairpersons, don’t involve yourselves in issues of bloodshed,” he said, referencing a recent meeting in the area that coincided with the lynching.

He assured residents that police are working to deliver justice for the deceased and urged local leaders to act as “the eyes of the police” by reporting suspicious activities.

Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, Prime Minister (Jadipu) of the Alur Kingdom, commended local leaders for organizing the dialogue and cautioned against vigilante actions.

Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom Prince Lawrence Opar Angala urged LCI chairpersons to take the message to the community

“We have justice systems in place; please don’t take the law into your own hands , it cannot be tolerated,” he told the gathering, calling on LCI chairpersons to help disseminate messages about the dangers of mob action and its implications.

Prince Opar highlighted the Kingdom’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, noting that chiefs and clan elders are being empowered to mediate customary land conflicts constructively and transparently. 

The Kingdom recently issued a directive instructing its traditional leaders to take a central role in reconciliation, in line with both Alur traditional justice systems and Uganda’s legal framework.

He added that the Kingdom will soon engage Judiciary-approved legal practitioners to train personnel in promoting ADR.

Mr. Festus Ayikobua, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Zombo, strongly condemned the land wrangles, identifying Atyak Sub-county as a hotspot. He said security agencies are closely monitoring the area.

Land conflicts remain rampant in Zombo District, especially in sub-counties such as Nyapea, Jangokoro, Paidha, and Atyak.

These disputes frequently occur among clan members, families, and relatives under the customary land tenure system, often resulting in bloodshed, loss of lives and property, and displacement.

Prime Minister Alur Kingdom Prince Lawrence Opar Angala addresses the gathering

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, released in early 2026, land-related crimes including conflicts and fraud surged by 67% compared to 2024, with 663 cases recorded nationally.

Northern Uganda accounted for a significant share, with common triggers including disputed boundaries (46%), family wrangles (30%), and land grabbing (22%).

In response, the Alur Kingdom, under His Majesty the Alur King, Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III, is promoting peaceful, community-driven resolution.

Prince Opar urged residents to channel customary land conflicts to clan elders and chiefs for mediation rather than resorting to violence or self-help measures.

The joint efforts aim to restore calm, strengthen community-police collaboration, address related issues like drug abuse and insecurity, and prevent further escalation of this deep-rooted conflict through dialogue and formal-traditional justice pathways

Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala (holding the fly-whisk) and Zombo DPC SSP Job Mutengeki (middle) pose for a group photo with Police officers and LC 1 Chairmen/veterans after a sensitization outreach dialogue meeting on security, held today, Friday 17th April 2026, at Atyak Sub-county Headquarters.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub