By Okem J Sas RichBoi
The Alur Kingdom Prime Minister (Jadipu), Prince Lawrence Opar Angala — holding a traditional fly-whisk — poses for a group photo with Nebbi District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Owachgiu Francis, Assistant RDC Olama Stephen Machodwogo, Assistant District Internal Security Officer (DISO) Chotum Francis, and other key stakeholders. The photo was taken after they successfully and jointly defused a potentially deadly confrontation involving some local residents of Kaluwang Chiefdom in the Alur Kingdom, particularly from the Pathedi and Ogamo clans.
These residents had been threatening to sabotage the ongoing implementation of the multi-million-dollar, bank-funded water project on River Nyagak, which is being constructed by Pinnacle Construction. The residents claimed to be acting with the knowledge and support of His Royal Majesty (HRM) Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III and the Ker Alur. They positioned themselves as traditional high priests responsible for cultural sites in the area and, as such, demanded compensation from the government. This demand persisted even though the project site lies within the Omyer Central Forest Reserve.
Additionally, the residents alleged that some government officials were “mining mercury” in the area and insisted on being made beneficiaries of this supposed natural resource windfall.
Tensions escalated to a critical point when some residents threatened to physically attack the workers at the project site last Tuesday, 7th April 2026. This alarming development prompted the Nebbi District RDC, Robert Abak, to immediately call for an emergency dispute resolution meeting at the project site with the affected residents on Monday, 13th April 2026.
During the meeting, the RDC requested the Alur Kingdom’s Jadipu (Prime Minister) to clearly explain the gravity of the matter and its potential consequences to the residents. He emphasized that failure to heed the advice would lead the government to take serious punitive action against the saboteurs, ensuring that work on the vital project could proceed as scheduled without further disruption.
In his address, the Jadipu categorically disassociated HRM Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III and the Ker Alur from the false claims of support for the residents’ disruptive actions. He strongly advised the residents to follow civilized and established procedures by channeling their concerns through the respective authorities and the kingdom structures. This guidance was reinforced by the Deputy RDC and officials from the Department of Water Development and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) regarding compensation for those who legitimately qualify.
The Jadipu firmly reiterated that the Alur Kingdom will always support government development programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic transformation and health conditions of its subjects, with the provision of clean water being one such critical project.
He issued a stern warning that any subjects who fail to follow this advice will face the full force of the law and should not expect any intervention or protection from the Ker Alur. He emphasized that the Ker Alur is a committed partner in development alongside the government of the Republic of Uganda.
The Jadipu was accompanied at the meeting by the kingdom’s Minister of Lands and Production, Hon. John Wapokra, the Director of Security, Nereo Javuru, and the Acting Rwoth of Kaluwang Chiefdom, Albert Aromborac.