By Chris Woo
The Oyam District Council has deferred discussions concerning the ownership disputes of foundation bodies in five schools during a full council meeting held on December 7th in the district council hall. The affected schools—Acaba Technical School, Apala “A”, Apala “B”, Obangangeo, and Amati Primary Schools—have been embroiled in ownership conflicts for the past five years.
In his ruling, Nomi Otyeno, the Speaker of Oyam District Local Council, postponed the issue until January 7, 2025, when an emergency council meeting will be convened. He emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution that fosters lasting harmony and mutual understanding among the conflicting parties.
During the meeting, Benson Dilla, the LC5 Chairperson of Oyam District, acknowledged that most schools in the area are church-founded. He refuted the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation that some schools, such as Obangangeo Primary School—reconstructed by parents after its collapse—should be classified as community schools.
Christ Ongom, the Acaba Sub County Male LC5 Councilor and Leader of Government Business, commended the Speaker for deferring the matter, noting that addressing the issue separately would allow for a more focused and comprehensive resolution. Ongom, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the matter, underscored the complexity of the situation.
John Gutenberg Ogwang, the Minakulu Town Council Male LC5 Councilor and Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, also expressed his appreciation for the Speaker’s decision. He stated that the postponement would provide an opportunity to explore amicable solutions to resolve the long-standing disputes.
Nelson Oloa, the Myene Sub County Male LC5 Councilor and Chairperson of the Education and Health Committee, further applauded the Speaker’s wisdom, explaining that the delay would allow the committee sufficient time to review unresolved issues from their investigations. This approach, he added, would ensure that decisions are based on thorough deliberations and factual evidence.
However, Hon. Adong Vicky Oyite, the Female LC5 Councilor representing Loro Sub County and Loro Town Council, expressed her dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s decision. She argued that the repeated deferrals of the matter have caused prolonged suffering for the affected parties. Despite her concerns, she urged all stakeholders to remain calm as they await the council’s final resolution in January.
The council hopes that the emergency meeting next year will bring clarity and a definitive resolution to the ownership disputes, restoring peace and stability in the affected communities.