By Opio Ongora
LIRA – Leaders in Dokolo District have pledged to enforce proper land management in communities as a key strategy for building peace and reducing land-related conflicts.
The commitment was made during a meeting organized by Caritas Lira at its premises in Barogole, Lira City, in conjunction with Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda.
The engagement was held under the theme: _“Strengthening the functionality of community based paralegals through collaboration with decentralized Justice and land governance institutions.”
Francis Ojok, Program Manager Caritas Lira, said the purpose of the engagement was to build linkages between Police, Area Land Committees, Paralegals, Lawyers, and government officials from Agwata Town Council, Bata Sub County, Bata Town Council, Okwalongwen Sub County and Amwoma Sub County.
He noted that stronger collaboration will help communities have a voice on land issues and understand the lawful process of acquiring and owning land legally.
Mr. Moses Ejor Ongom, Chairperson Dokolo District Land Board and retired Commissioner of Police, thanked Caritas Lira for convening the meeting.
He reported that during his tenure, the District Land Board has approved 4,000 land files for registration and titling out of 6,000 received.
Ejor whose term is expected to end in late 2027 said about 2,000 files were deferred or rejected due to insufficient documents.
Opono Denis, LC3 Chairperson of Amwoma Sub County, said land wrangles can only be settled if men are sensitized more on land laws and if boundary demarcation is prioritized by all leaders in the district.
Counsel David Moses Egum from Egaru & Company Advocates urged leaders to be fair when dividing land among children.
He said most families forget girls or give them a smaller portion, yet the law requires equal sharing. “This is where most family conflicts start,” he warned.
Mr. James Cleto Mumbere, Program Manager Advocacy at PELUM Uganda, said PELUM works in 122 districts and has reached 3 million small holder farmers working with 78 NGOs, including Caritas Lira.
He appealed to the 10 trained paralegals in attendance to work hand in hand with stakeholders, and called for unity, teamwork and consultation when solving conflicts at community level.
Organizers said similar engagements will continue across Lango sub-region to empower communities with knowledge of land rights and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
