By Osuta Yusuf
The Uganda Police Force in Arua District has reported a devastating incident that occurred on the afternoon of 23rd November 2024 in Oyeku Village, Ombokoro Parish, Ajia Subcounty.

Dr. Paul Drilaba, aged 55, the District Health Officer (DHO) of Arua, lost his life in a violent attack while overseeing the demarcation of land he had acquired in September 2024. Dr. Drilaba was accompanied by his lawyer, surveyors, and workers when a group of over 50 armed individuals launched a brutal assault, wielding machetes, axes, bows, and arrows.
The attack followed an altercation with a local individual who challenged the boundary-marking exercise, escalating into a violent confrontation. Preliminary investigations indicate the land was contested by members of the Oyeku clan, who claim ancestral ownership and allege unresolved disputes over the sale and transfer of the property.
Tragically, Dr. Drilaba and one of the surveyors sustained fatal injuries in the attack. Others managed to escape, abandoning equipment and fleeing for their lives. Dr. Drilaba succumbed to his injuries before law enforcement could intervene.

Despite the violence, the deceased’s personal effects, including UGX 1,767,000, were untouched, suggesting the attackers were motivated solely by grievances related to the land dispute.
The Uganda Police Force has launched a thorough investigation into the incident under CRB 249/2024, vowing to identify and bring all perpetrators to justice. Authorities have emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through legal channels and urged the public to remain calm as inquiries continue.

SP Asea Collins, Police Spokesperson for the West Nile Region, extended condolences to Dr. Drilaba’s family, colleagues, and the wider community, calling his death a significant loss to the district.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges of land disputes in Arua District and the urgent need for measures to address such conflicts peacefully.