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By Godwin Abedican Arua The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) in charge of Ayivu Division in Arua city Mbigiti Godfrey Jonah together with his Assistant Ongom Polly, have warned the people in the division against violence and blood shade as they front fo
By Godwin Abedican
Arua
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) in charge of Ayivu Division in Arua city Mbigiti Godfrey Jonah together with his Assistant Ongom Polly, have warned the people in the division against violence and blood shade as they front for the creation of new administrative units.
The two conflicting sides, one the Save Ayivu Initiative (that is against the current size of the city) and those who are Pro-the current establishment of the city have been in long term arguments where the save Ayivu Initiative group led by the MP for Ayivu division Hon. Lematia John and his close allies have been calling for the reduction of the city but the creation of a district to cater for the people of Ayivu, while the other group is instead demanding for the creation of more divisions in the current city out of the current Ayivu division.
On Monday 19th May 2025, when those in support of the current city status learnt that the other group had traveled to the NRM secretariat in Kampala to table their demand for a district, they organized a demonstration against that move which was swiftly quelled by the security leadership on grounds that it could lead to violence.
According to the Deputy RCC, there was need to follow the right channels if the demonstration was necessary anyway, “Demonstrations are only allowed when they are cleared and peaceful. It is a constitutional right, but has to be cleared. When I found out that the Inspector general of Police (IGP) had not cleared them, I told them to go home and they accepted. Other issues should be left in the hands of the leaders. The documents for the city calling for more divisions has already been delivered to the authorities. If there is to be a decision to be made, it shall not be out of the demonstrations but based on the documents” Deputy RCC explained.
Poly Ongom -Assistabt RCC (Left) and Mbigiti Godfrey Jonah-Deputy RCC (Center) adressing the team of demonstrators
Poly Ongom, the Assistant RCC Ayivu Division said any forms of violence shall be met by the law, “In demanding for all these, our office demands that there should be no bloodshed. Amidst all these, there is one person who will make a decision on these demands. It’s not in Onduparaka, it is not but that is His Excellency president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. So, we should not be fighting at the lower level here to the extent that some people die. Let’s be peaceful in pursuing what we want,” Ongom appealed.
Matua Alex, the leader of the team says that it’s a sign of backwardness for the Area MP to take such a move prompting them to demonstrate. “When the city was declared, they gazetted it in the Uganda gazette for 3 months. No body came out, I don’t know whether by that time the honorable MP for Ayivu west was not yet born. This is what is disturbing me and we came out to demonstrate against their move,” Matua said.
Nyongole Issa, an elder says that, it’s not all the people from Ayivu west who want the district. “For me I came out clearly to accept the current status of the city. I think in the city we will develop better. We shall unite with other people from outside and some elites who will develop us better. Those people who want a district are giving wrong information to the residents that, the city has come to take away people’s land which is very wrong” he said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Eyotaru veronica female councilor for older persons in Ayivu division on her part says those who want the district are fighting for an impossibility. “Once you have delivered and given birth to a baby, can the baby go back to the womb? So, we are already in the city and we are not going to dismantle the city. City should remain city and we are going to produce 4 mor divisions,” Eyotaru reiterated.
According to Zuberi Innocent Viga a resident of Ayivu East, they will reorganize and have a demonstration in accordance to the law to ensure their voices are heard since the desire for a district is being pursued by some selfish people, The two groups have since been at loggerheads and contesting the around 401 Km square of the current land area occupied by the city. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the meeting at the NRM secretariat will present.
COVER PHOTO: The demonstrators holding placards intended for their action By Godwin Abedican