Security operatives on Friday afternoon intercepted the car of the Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II and put the Acholi cultural leader and five others in the car at gun point.
The incident happened at 3 pm at Pabbo trading centre in Amuru district, only about 40 kilometres from Gulu town.
Rwot Acana and five others including Rwot Peter Oola also known as Rwot Ojigi were travelling in Rwot Acana’s official car, a Land Cruiser with a visible Acholi emblem.
The Acholi Paramount Chief was on his way from Moyo where he had a day before attended a cultural gala.
Acholi Times understands that Rwot Acana’s body guard, a Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) corporal was disarmed by the operatives.
Mr Simon Lakony, an aide to Rwot Peter Oola of Alokolum told Acholi Times they were intercepted by plain clothed men armed with AK47 rifles.
Mr Lakony who was also in Rwot Acana’s car said the men were travelling in a Land Cruiser Pick Up truck Registration number UAF640M.
“We were from Moyo district where Rwot Acana graced a cultural gala. But as we entered Pabbo trading center, a grey land cruiser pickup vehicle dangerously pulled up in front of Rwot Acana’s car , three men jumped out, cocked their guns and aimed it at our vehicle,’’ Mr Lakony narrated.
Mr Lakony added: “One of the operatives ordered [Rwot Acana’s] body guard out of the car and disarmed him while another went to the side of Rwot Acana and ordered him to roll down the window.’’
On realizing that it was Rwot Acana, the armed men let him continue on with his journey to Gulu town.
But after only about a kilometer, Lakony said they were again stopped, this time by police attached to the Field Force Unit.
“A Land cruiser truck, blue in colour, packed in front of us as we approached and armed police officers came out and demanded to know who we were.’’
“We are lucky to have survived because the nature in which the car was intercepted was dangerous and in any case if Rwot Acana’s driver was to speed off thinking we are under attack, those armed men could have shot at us,” Lakony said.
When contacted, Ambrose Olaa, the Prime Minister of the Acholi cultural institution downplayed the incident and said there was no need for alarm and that Rwot Acana was mistakenly intercepted by security operatives. But he asked security operatives to be more careful in their work.
‘‘We don’t want to speculate that there was any ulterior motive. But we urge them [ security operatives] to be more careful next time because it[ incident] could have resulted into a more grave situation,” Ambrose Olaa told Acholi Times in a phone interview on Sunday.
Aswa Region Police Spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema said the operation was meant to intercept a car from South Sudan suspected to have had guns stolen from the war wrecked country.
“We got information that a car carrying guns was destined for Gulu, Our operatives were stationed at Pabbo but unfortunately, when Rwot Acana’s car approached it was intercepted because it matched the description of the suspected car,” Mr Okema explained.
Okema said the police had apologized and regretted the inconveniences caused on Rwot Acana. He did not reveal whether security operatives eventually intercepted the car they were waiting for.
5 Comments
Ka rwot pa lulooki tye I any official visit onongo ni dano weng ngeyo dok bene security forces ngeyo yoo mene ma en obikato ki yie. Pingo woro ki gwok ma lamal peke I kom Ladit Rwodi pa Acholi kadi wa i ngom manège? These actions of the government security toward lawii Rwodi David Onen Achana 11 is very alarming and disrespectful. They should apologise to Lawii Rwodi and Acholi people publicly.
1- Because of disrespect to Rwot
2-Negligence in allowing him to follow the route they suspect to be used by guns gangsters from S Sudan. “If any”
3- Ignorant for not recognising His Kingship emblem flag and number plate , thus stopping him in a manner that could have been fatal. And why didn’t they after the first incident gave Rwot escort or communicate a head to allow Him pass without another inconvenience?
“Piny man Oliing lagwee” ee? kede yita? Woro peke, Woro peke something has to be done lurok tye kanyero wan.
Ebba,
I regret to hear that the lives of Lawi Rwodi Achana II and his fellow travelers were threatened. But I am glad that no harm was done other that being threatened.
You are right that there is no respect for the Lawi Rwodi institution. In my humble opinion, even many of the Acholi people themselves have little respect for the institution. Why? Because the institution was artificially constructed by the power of the day to serve its political need or purpose and not by the Acholi people overall. Therefore, it was NOT built to serve the interests of the Acholi people. Imposing an institution from above without the consent of the people, even nobly in the name of consensus and tradition, will not gain respect from the people it is supposed to coral for the power that be.
Mm mm it’s confusing now for those of us who are naive about the constitutional’s agenda. But still kadi bed ni “nyuka dong oton woko I ciip” can we as Acholi ki rwom wa do something about it? Miyo tam, peny ki woro weko piny lokke. We mustn’t just sit back and enjoy being humiliated behind baggage trailer as if we are bunch of retards. Communication communication and communication is the key to bringing out the hidden objects and setting it right. Bedo cok ki gin moni weko iniang race ki ber ne. There’s nothing Acholi can’t change constitutionally as far as Acholi tradition is concerned although MONEY has made man MAD, Acholi regards it’s culture highly. Let’s try and pretend that all is rosy for the sake of “Acholi Kingdom ” not for individual roles or some contaminated Acholi institutional eras. Lok Ada, Mar, timo Kica ki Ribbe Aye Teko. Apwoyo tami Gotolwiyo.
Burra,
You know they say that he who pays the piper calls the tune. In this case, who authorized the re-creation of the Lawi Rwodi? Who built his “palace”? Who bought a car for him? Etc. If the answer is not the people of Acholi, then you can understand why the security agents do not respect him. Besides, what does he do for his “subjects”? The answer to this question will explain why many Acholi people don’t care that much about the institution, thus no reason to respect it.
Okay points taken no wonder Acholi people are quite about the incident. Some of us in the diaspora are still vague about the institution. Anyway I’ve arrested my case. Thanks for the insights Gotolwiyo