
Authorities in Amolatar have apprehended staff members of Bonif Graphic Design for engaging in unlawful activities.
The resident district commissioner, in conjunction with the district chairperson, executed the arrests on 18th.Sept.2024, targeting individuals who were reportedly taking photographs of war claimants for cattle compensation purposes without proper authorization.
During the interrogation, Otim Emmanuel, a data collector and graphic designer associated with Bonif Graphic Design, disclosed that they were operating under a director whose identity remains undisclosed.
District chairperson Geoffrey Ocen Kiring stated that he received complaints from the community regarding claims that the district had summoned residents for photo sessions and data collection, which he deemed unfounded.
Ocen further explained that he was alerted to the unauthorized activities of a group taking photographs without the consent of the individuals involved, prompting immediate action.
He noted that other teams had already infiltrated 16 sub-counties, and all involved parties would face arrest under the directive of resident district commissioner Okello Odoki Rwotlonyo.
He cautioned beneficiaries of the war claims to refrain from making claims and to await official communication from the offices of the RDC, district chair, and Chief Administrative Officer of Amolatar.
Ocen emphasized that the district is now managing the situation, and no legal representatives are involved.
When reached for comment, the RDC confirmed the orders for the arrests, stating that they aim to protect the community of Amolatar from exploitation.
Hon. Tonny Okello, a leader at Amolatar town council, expressed that they were unaware of any such activities occurring within the town, which led him to escalate the matter to higher authorities. Additionally, Tonny Olwa from Amirimir voiced his frustration with the ongoing extortion faced by ordinary citizens during this process.
Another individual noted his suspicions regarding the group, as they were not accepting any photographs despite having some readily available.
The cattle compensation initiative is intended to benefit over 25,000 individuals across 29 districts in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions.
The cattle compensation is supposed to benefit over 25, 000 people in 29 districts in the sub regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso.
In the recently concluded regional parliamentary sitting in Gulu City, the chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, Ms Judith Alyek, carried files in protest against the delay and bureaucracy involved in the cattle compensation.
“As I speak now, only 18,000 people have been compensated in the last three years because government gave Shs50 billion to be shared within three sub regions,” she said.
“Lango people stayed in the Internally Displaced People’s camps for 20 years from 1986 to 2006, they lost everything, and this is not a joke.”