BY SYLIVIA NAMUWANGA
Land Actors at the
lover Local Government Level have asked Government to Strengthening land
governance institutions in the Country which they say it may play vital role in
mitigating Land Conflicts across the Country.
To achieve that the
government should invest in building strong and transparent land governance
institutions. This includes providing adequate resources, training, and
capacity-building for the responsible agencies, such as the Land Registry, Land
Management Units, and Area Land Committees (ALCs).
This was raised by Lower
Governments Leaders from West Nile region during an Induction Workshop that was
organized by Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmer Forum {ESAFF}
Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Land Housing and Urban Development
for the Area Land Committee members of Warr and Logiri sub-counties in Zombo
and Arua respectively on land administration and management that was held in
Nebbi Town recently.
Speaking during the induction workshop, the Warr sub county
Local Council III chairperson there experiencing a lot of Land Conflicts in his
Sub county because the people who are supposed to offer technical guidelines
especially when it comes to the Lands that were leased many years ag are have
not been supported by the Government to execute their duties.
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| Local Government Leaders attending the Training in Nebbi Town |
Land is a key resource that is essential to the development
of the economy, society, and culture of small-scale farmers and land actors.
Land is very important in the West Nile sub-region for its potential for
agriculture as well as for the livelihoods and identities of its residents.
However, land conflicts in the farming communities of the West
Nile sub-region have been persistent and complex posing significant challenges
to sustainable development and community harmony. These conflicts arise from
various factors, including historical, social, economic, and political
dynamics, and often result in disputes over land ownership, boundaries, and
usage rights.
Speaking at the same
Induction Some ALC noted that the farming communities are not aware of the Land
Rights Laws and this has exposed them to Land Conflicts with Investors in the region.
“For us we didn’t know anything about the charges on the land
inspection during the registration of land for acquiring certificates of land
ownership but now we are aware of it and we are going to effectively collect
it” Nen Charles Oyikuru, ALC Chairperson Warr Sub-county.
It's on this ground that we applaud the Civil Societies and
the Ministry of Lands that have empowered us with some skills on Land Issues.
Speaking on behalf of
the Civil Society during the Training, Ronald Bagaga the Research and Policy Officer
at ESAFF Uganda said Government Should Look for resources to ensure that these technical
people at the Lower Government Levels are empowered.
“As farming Organization, we believe in Equity; Government
should ensure that Local Communities are empowered with all the information
relating to Land governance and Management and this will curtail Land Conflicts
related issues that are becoming rampant in the country,” said Ronald Bagaga.
Denis Obbo, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban
Development Spokesperson, said it’s not
their mandate to finance the ALCs because that responsibility is delegated to
the Ministry of Local Governments.
According to the Land Act, 1998, the Area land committees are
supposed to assist the board in an advisory capacity on matters relating to
land, including ascertaining rights on the land in the Country.
