Baucau, 22-23 January 2026- The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan,” has initiated action following complaints from residents of Uaitame Village regarding the government’s decision on the administrative division of their community. The complaints relate to a plan to transfer Uaitame from the Administrative Post of Quelicai Centro to the newly established Administrative Post of Quelicai Antigu, a move that has generated concern among local residents.
According to the community, many residents prefer to remain under the Administrative Post of Quelicai Centro, which they consider geographically closer and more accessible. In addition to distance, the community has raised social and cultural considerations, emphasizing long-standing historical ties with Quelicai Centro. Upon receiving the complaint, the Ombudsman decided to proceed with an investigation and, at the same time, initiate dialogue with relevant stakeholders as a means of seeking a constructive and peaceful solution.
On 22 January, the Ombudsman held a dialogue with the Uaitame community, involving veterans, intellectuals, and cultural leaders. Following this meeting, he separately met with the Administrators of the Administrative Posts of Quelicai Centro, Paulo Jacinto Moreira and Quelicai Antigu, Francisco Matias Gonçalves to convey the community’s concerns and to hear the perspectives of both authorities. On 23 January, the Ombudsman continued consultations with the President of the Baucau Municipal Authority, Veneranda Lemos Martins, to share information from the community and to gather further clarification on the matter.
During these engagements, the Ombudsman stressed that any decision affecting communities must carefully consider social, cultural, economic, and geographical factors, as well as the voices of the people concerned. He also emphasized that government policies should uphold the commitment to bring administrative services closer to the population and encouraged all parties to prioritize communication and dialogue, noting that no problem is unsolvable when there is a genuine willingness to talk. Both the community and the authorities expressed openness to continued dialogue, while the President of the Municipal Authority reaffirmed her readiness to seek a solution based not on power, but on wisdom and what is best for Baucau. Meanwhile, PDHJ’s Investigation Unit will continue gathering information to support future recommendations.
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