There is heavy displacement of about 28 families in Aceng village, Binya Parish, Ora-pwoyo Sub County as suspected Balaalo connected businessmen are destroying Hurts and food crops, forcefully sending Villagers away from their home.
One of the strongest Puranga Chiefdom under the, (General Okello Mwaka, 1840-1914), who was the first interpreters for European explorers to Africa to Uganda in Acholi Sub Region known as Luo Gang by then, he spoke three different dialects, Luganda, the 4RS, Lutoro Rukiga Banyangkole Lunyoro and Arabic.
Okello Mwaka the Puranga General who used to raid some small Luo Gang clans outside Puranga Chiefdom and sell the captives to Arab as slaves. Now his powerful Puranga chiefdom has become a shadow of its glorious
Puranga chiefdom planned to restructure the council of chiefs in the olden system as it were, to avoid political hurricanes, officials from the palace argued.
OMORO DISTRICT-NORTHERN UGANDA, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2025.
By Okumu Livingstone Langol
The groups of Balaalo once again move to grab land in Puranga Chiefdom, in the place called Binya Agula. Paramount Chief Rwot Richard Santo Apire says he has learned and advices the government of Uganda to intervene on the current conflict raging on in Binya Pariah where homestead is being destroyed including crop plantations beating villagers in Aceng village.
Rwot Santo Richard Apire, Acholi Paramount Chief Prime Minister, Robert Adongakulu reiterates the statement from the Paramount Chief says that information reaching Ker Kwaro Acholi indicates that the situation on the ground is alarming and that it needs government intervention.
“We have learned that people’s homesteads are being destroyed, crops are being destroyed, people are being sent out in a forceful manner, and this is the period where people are harvesting their farm products from the garden. Adongakulu disclosed.
He alleged that the incident is ongoing in Ora-pwoyo Sub County being orchestrated by Balaalo agents in Aceng village, where hundreds of civilians are being left without shelters. Amount ago there was an attempted by Puranga clans and community leaders who converged in Gulu City, at Acholi Inn to ironed out the tension
Puranga chiefdom made early attempt
On 11 August, 2025, Counsel, Julius Ojek and Company Advocate sent demand notice cum notice of intention to sue Anthony Okello, the person who purportedly used deep state, connection coerced 28 families to sell their land to them, calming that the government of Uganda has interest in Aceng village land.
Latyeng Icanya and Celestino Apaca residents of Aceng village says they are the only survivor of the deep state action who refused to sell their land, they explained before the meeting that took place in Acholi Place in Gulu City, when they were sermon to appear when over 200 Puranga clan leadership was called by Gen. Charles Otema Awany, in Gulu City to explain who was behind forceful land grabbing, cum land sales.
The Celestino Apaca narrative was that the groups of people came to Aceng village in the month of August and began to tell them that the government has interest in Aceng land. And they started to buy land, while telling those who have refused to sell their land, that whether they want or not, they have to agree and dispose of their land. Latyeng went to Gulu City, Acholi Inn where he was paid UGX 5 million together with 28 other family’s members whose land was coerced.”
The Agula Clan Chairman, Okello Marino Otit denied authorizing sales of land as chairperson of Agula clan when sermon by Gen. Otema Awany to answer if the Okello Anthony who claimed to have bought 440 acres of land in Aceng village he knows. Or he Okello Otit authorized 28 Agula clan members to sell their land.”
“It’s only me and my son Lateng who have resisted coercion, but when 10 acres of land was grabbed by Latyeng, he was paid only UGX 5 million. Including those people who were early on coerced to sell their land. Latyeng.
When Okello Marino Otit, Agula clan leader, disowned the sale of land of Aceng village, Gen. Otema Awany ruled that Okello Anthony aka Adwinya who claimed to have bought 450 land. His land title certificate will be nullified and the land title is going to be canceled, Gen. Otema Awany told the leadership of Puranga chiefdom.
“Gen Otema says Uganda Constitutions court ruled that the customary land system cannot be sold, unless the clan leaders agreed and passed a resolution authorizing the sale of land, the clan leaders agreed in writing to sell the land, then the land agreement is banding, the sale shall take place.
For that matter, Gen Otema Awany instructed Omoro Residence District Commissioner who was present in the meeting to call for the Lawyer to stand on behalf of the Agula clan insisting that he want to hear from those who have bought the said land.
Both Julius Ojok and Akena Emmanuel, the Surveyor who surveyed the land and planted the Mark stone, were called too.”
Emmanuel Akena, introduced himself and confirmed that when asked to clarify who bought the land, he acknowledged that indeed his client had bought the land from Aceng village Binya parish, Orapwoyo Sub County about 450 acres of land. He confirmed that he is the surveyor who carried out the survey.
“We bought the land from Aceng village about 450 acres, and we did not give land owners money immediately, we recorded their name and instructed them to go and follow us in Gulu City to Acholi Inn and later we gave them documents to go and get their money. The person who bought the land is called Okello Anthony. When he came for visitation in Gulu City, he was staying in Acholi Inn, during his visitation, he had discovered that this place was good for transition. We only used Acholi Inn place to transect our businesses.” Akena Emma reiterated.
Acholi paramount chief call for nullification and counseling land deal
Rwot Ociti Binyi, of Pagak Chiefdom in Lamogi extends his calls and empathy to Puranga chiefdom, but warns the Balaalo land grabbing being headed by Okello Anthony aka Adwinya to stop encroaching in the land that does not belong to them.
Rwot Ociti, the Financial Administrator for Ker Kwaro Acholi argues that it is only Puranga cultural leadership that will remove the Balaalo cattle keepers from their land being encroached.
But, first Puranga Chiefdom must revive the traditions leadership that will take care of the former order and which clan were responsible in their role for the cultural council, let Rwot Puranga consider the role and mandate as Puranga have 44 clans. Which clan were responsible for the role of Katikiro, which clan were handling the function of Olal Teng deity (Luwang Jok Olal Teng), which clan were responsible?
Which clan were their duty to take care of mediation as massager called Ogolokoki massager of Rwot Puranga, and which clan were responsible Me Tedo Tim Dwar? As he noticed that the current leadership may be politically motivated.
However, this must come with the role of reinforcement of re-reorganizing the system by Rwot Ochan Jimmy Luwala himself to assert his authority in leadership.
However, Rwot Ociti Binyi of Pagak is very disappointed in the manner and way Rwot Ochan Jimmy Luwala appeared to his peer Rwodi of Acholi, Rwot Puranga look very venerable and yet Puranga chiefdom have one of highest scholars in Acholi, most of the big government sectors are being occupied Puranga sons and daughters in big government position.
“Are they not able to take care of their chief? Rwot Jimmy Ochan Luwala who appears in disregard, looks in a sorry state” Rwot Binyi of Pagak mocked.
“I wish his subject would buy some good presents and give to their chief, Rwot Puranga Jimmy Ochan Luwala when he comes to us, he looks needy, why can his subject buy for him five pairs of chock clothes with suits and afford him a transport facility?
We don’t want chaos to change in leadership of Puranga chiefdom, because Rwot, Rwot Richard Santo Apire, the newly elected Acholi Paramount Chief is ready to bring to book all messes that illustrate Puranga Chiefdom.
Okello Godwine, Puranga Primer, when contacted for comment for the second time reiterated that he has not seen the letter written by Julius Ojok, who doubles as Attorney General of Puranga chiefdom, when I read the letter then I will respond.
“You see, if there is an issue, you inform me. Now I am driving. I cannot react or talk with you, if there is an emergency I will react.” Puranga Prime Minister Okello Godwine observed.
George Lapira Aligach one of the complainers on land grabbing become a negro slave master
Lapir George Aligech, was a month the castigator of Aceng land grabbers, says without Aceng land in Binya, there would be no Agula clan.
He confronted the monster Balaalo’s agent and cried, his tears flowed down his cheeks cried like a toddler, weeping until no more, gathering all Puranga clan chairperson and their committee’s member before Gen. Otema Awany. The only son from Puranga chiefdom, but later made U-turn embraced land grabbers.
Anyanya Omoro one of the prominent sons of Puranga chiefdom is one the disappointed lot, Anyanya was one of the persons who worked hard to arranged for Puranga clan leaders to come to Gulu City, when Gen Otema Awany sent him to make sure all the Chairman of clan members report for the meeting, we worked with George Aligech Lapir to make sure they come.
And indeed, we played our part, only to realize that Aligech was compromised, he allegedly got the money from Balaalo sources. When I contacted him, he told me that they received him and gave him small money.” Anyanaya Omoro allegedly said.
On September 1st 2025. Two lorry tracks carrying workers believed to belong to Anthony Okello Adwinya belonging to earthing grass thatches with Caterpillar descended in Binya we Aceng village without fore warning to the community and started clearing crops plantation.
Aligech Lapir since then went mute, he has abandoned the issues of Aceng land conflict.
When asked, his response. “Don’t disturb me, I am too busy.” He stressed.
Jalon John Laloyo, the Secretary to Cabinet of Puranga Ker Kwaro informed our Correspondent that coming to a week, there is total chaos in Aceng village, said two lorry trucks transported about 80 people which ordered all residences of Aceng village to evacuate their home, since the person who bought the land want to use it.
“As I talk to you know my sister who is wife to one person called Odoch Taranysio rust to me and inform me that their houses have been destroyed, she saw me her broken arm which clobber by button. She told me that their crop plantation has been uprooted from the garden.” She insisted many of the residences have been affected in the scam. Jalon Laloyo informed.
Okello Marino Otit, clarified before Puranga clan leaders he was not part of the land sales, he never authorized Agula community to auction Aceng village land, saying during the time when the land was being sold, he was ill, and when he got information about incidence, he authorized his Vice Chairman who later became part of the scam.
Ben Acellam, one of the clan leaders of Palaro Okot chaired the meeting, in the meeting Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, the MP for Omoro County was present, Hon. Catherine Lamwaka, the Omoro Woman MP was also present.
Gen. Otema Awany after carefully listen to Chairman of Agula clan, Okello Marino Otit, without mincing word, gave directive to Puranga clan leadership that since land bought fraudulently same agreement should be block and nullified even if the said Okello Anthony got land title.
Arguing that customary land is not for sales. “I am giving you the money to pay for the lawyer.” Gen. Otema Awany gave a directive.
Julius Ojok and Company Advocate were called and he gave a directive before all 200 Puranga clan’s leaders and directed Agula clan head Okello Marino to go and record his statement. Other affected land owners whose land was forcefully grabbed during the scam includes Hon. Laker Joyce, Nyeko Ogwal Justine, Latyeng Kicanya Alfred, Odoch Tarecnsiso and others.
When Hon. Laker was in contact with the latest development when two lorry trucks are now destroying homesteads and hundreds of farms in Aceng village, she was shocked and outraged with the kind of destruction being committed to Agula clan by those aliens who claimed to have bought Aceng village land.
Hon. Laker made an attempt to contact George Aligech Lapir through phone calls, however, his phone was busy throughout. Later, the following day when I finally contacted George Aligech. According to the statement Hon. Laker codified to Our Correspondent, she revealed that George Aligech told her that Hon. Laker should leave him alone.
“When I made contact with George Aligech, he told me that I would leave him alone. However, I told him that he should be serious. If he thinks land can be rolled like mat, then he is wasting his time with the so-called land scavenger. With me I have a name to protect, even my 240 hectares was taken from Amuru District, and I am here. Time will come when all these things which are happening will come to pass, time will tell.” Hon. Laker stressed.
Nyeko Ogwal, one of the affected people from Aceng village, was sorry when he learned of the latest development. His only reason is that he believes that justice will be accorded to them.
Okello Anthony Adwinya, fought the night before, he attacked the editor of Oyeng Yeng news in one of the popular Mukungo Caro joints accusing him of reporting that he forcefully grabbed land from the community by force.
“Please read this online publication from oyengyeng.com. Why do you report that I grabbed land from Aceng village, I will first beat you up and later I will take you to Gulu Central Police Station since I have reported this case? Okello Anthony Adwinya roared.
When Our Correspondent drilled George Aligech, over the latest development, how he would make u turn just a week later after Acholi Inn meeting when he swore and drowned swords to fight whoever dared to take Aceng endower Minarets belt of Agula.
His response was. “Don’t disturb me, I have been all day long, I have no answer. And don’t come to my home again. “George Aligech warns.
Ben Acellam, also who was with George Aligech when asked about the faith and the outcome of the meeting which he chaired. He informed our news source that his term of reference was only to chair the meeting, which was all.
“I don’t know what is happening now, although we have put in place a five-member committee to come out with the outcome.”
Those persons who were selected to meet and report back to Puranga clan chairman, are Okema Christopher Amic, from Puranga Pader, Anywar Michael Odai from Puranga Odek zone, Vicky Norah Laker.
When Okema Amic and Vicky Norah Laker were contacted over the matter, both of them say they have not yet met.
Julius Ojok the Advocates wrote demand notice cum notice Mr. Okello Anthony of intention to sue dated 11th August 2025. Ref: OA/OM/06/11/08/2025.
The letter read, we act for and on behalf of the Agula clan with instruction from Mr. Marino Otit. Who is the chairperson of the clan, Mego Hon. Joyce Laker, Mr. Nyeko O Justine, Mr. Latyeng Kicanya, Mr. Odoch Tarecnsiso, and Mr. Ogwal George and others, with instructions we address you as bellow:
It has come to the knowledge of our clients that you erroneously, illegally and fraudulently bough land measuring approximately 454.2 acres situated at Te-Acheng village. Binya parish, Ora-pwoyo Sub County, Omoro District purportedly sold to you by Kibwota Justine, Apiyo Rose, Okello Simon, Odong George, Kidega John, Ochora John, Amone Michael, Akwero Florence and Odong Michael among others.
It has further come to the knowledge of our client that you also bought land from Latim Alex, who sold to you about 200 acres of the land belonging to Nyeko O. Justine, Okumu Lucam, Opiyo Robert, Laker Joyce, Aligech George Lapir and others.
We believe that you knowingly bought these pieces of customary land, fully aware that they are for the clan of Agula and as such, are governed under customs and the bye-law of the Agula clan, and the chairperson of the land committee, who are mandated to oversee, protect and ensure that land is put to good and Productive use was not aware of those transactions, in fact, they have been threatened not to speak about the transaction, and yet you with intention registering the land for your exclusive and individual use without regard to the community ‘s interest and ownership, have planted mark stones around this land to detriment and exclusion of the community.
This letter, therefore, serves to inform you that your transactions are irregular, illegal and fraudulent. You have no color of right over the land belonging to the Agula clan. We demand that you immediately cease, halt or stop any transactions, dealing or claims over or concerning this land, peacefully leave it to clan leaders for use of the members of the clan.
You may, if you so wish, pursue these individuals who might have caused you financial loss.
Should you fail to heed to our polite reminder, we have instructions to take necessary legal measures against you for the full recovery of the land
Yours M/S Ojok Advocates
