William Justine, a conservancy investor, was attacked and shot with an arrow across the mouth by members of a local community over what is believed to be a land conflict.
Former Siana MCA Henry Siololo and community activist Anthony Rinka have been linked to the attack after they led locals in threatening to dissolve the conservancy, should it fail to give in to their demands.
Locals have been claiming that they were duped into signing a 15-year lease agreement with Olarro Company Limited which established wildlife conservancy without properly laid out plans.
“We are demanding a review of this agreement. We want to be allowed to elect our committee who will be addressing our issues with the conservancy,” declared Siololo
He alleged that the three who are there were not representing the wishes of the community.
They realized that the agreement had harsh conditions that they wanted to be amended.
Area OCPD Anthony Shimoli confirmed the attack stating that: “We received reports that a conservancy investor had been attacked with arrows at Siana area. My officers toured the scene and confirmed that indeed he had been injured.”
The local community is demanding access to the Roble River, which is in the ranch, to water their animals.
The conservancy Chairman Kinata Sururu has asked for justice for the injured investor, dismissing the conflict as a political agenda.
“As a conservancy, we have never prevented the community from accessing water. We have even drilled boreholes to the community. It is their right to access water. Politicians seem to be politicizing the issue for mileage,” responded Sururu.
