By: GNNA Editor
Gulu
The Paramount Chief of Acholi cultural institution Rwot David Onen Acana II wants subjects to desist from massive sell of land noting that the practice will make them destitute.
Chief Acana said people should instead put their land to agricultural use irrespective of the size, instead of selling it away.
Acana also suggested that there should be a review of laws relating to land use to streamline land ownership in Acholi a process can should be spearheaded by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Of recent, the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni advised that there is need to streamline and adopt new reforms in regard to land acquisition, ownership and usage in Acholi Sub-region.
While addressing two parties that are for and against the Executive Order No. 3 on November 10, 2023 at State House, the President cautioned on over emphasis of clannism, including clan lands.
“As I have told people many times, tribal and clan organization, was not enough to defend us against the more organized foreigners, the Imperialists. Provided new forms of social and economic management are done fairly, legitimately, legally and rationally, they should be welcomed,” he explained.
“We are pushing for the cultural constitution”
The Atiak Clan Chief Rwot Santo Apire, said that having a cultural institution is vital in championing reforms especially regarding land usage and ownership.
Apire explained that such was the primary reason why he has initiated a move to draft the Constitution of the Acholi chiefdom which the Institution is lacking.
The cultural leader emphasized that once such reforms are in place, they spur land utilization for development and also preserve the cultural heritage sites that are being destroyed by the increasing demand for land usage in the sub-region.
The Clan Chief of Labonga-Amida Clan in Kitgum District Rwot John Ogenga Obita, said that the president’s call is timely due to the divergent ways how land usage and ownership has changed in Acholi today.
“You find that young people are scrambling to have customary land fragmented to their interests and they end up wasting it away on buying boda-boda motorcycles or sports betting”, Rwot Ogenga said.
The Minister of State for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny said the numerous land conflicts in northern Uganda is due to weaker laws on land ownership in northern Uganda.
Kwiyucwiny said that there is a need to institute a land tribunal that can handle such cases expeditiously.
The Minister however observed that with the changing pattern of life, making such reforms should integrate people from different walks of life a factor vital for triggering development.
Land reforms should be in good spirit
Stephen Bujingo, the Chairperson of Cattle Keepers and Dairy Farmers Association in northern Uganda said that coming up reforms on land acquisition in Acholi is a good, but it should not bar anyone from buying land within the sub-region.
Bujingo said that Uganda is a Republic with diverse people and cultures, and it is primarily important that people must co-exist and the laws being agitated for must be in good spirit.
Justine Ociti, a landlord in Gulu district explained that the reforms are very important because they will help in addressing unnecessary sale of land.
Ociti said that people are selling their land cheaply instead of renting it out because of ignorance and widespread poverty which has crippled their capacity to farm it.
What local leaders say
The Counselor III representing Apyeta Parish, Palabek-Ogili Sub-county, in Lamwo District Denis Okema said that the move to come out with reforms is very important is solving land wrangles, but his worry is that it could take longer to commence.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Nwoya District Judith Peace Achan said that whether laws are created, it is evident that there are some locals who are chaotic to find ways of causing conflicts.
Achan recommended for extensive sensitization of locals on land ownership and usage because several of them who are energetic own large chunks of land but with limited utilization.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Nobert Mao said that his ministry shall look into the matter and come out with any possible ways of either sensitizing locals on land or draft a legal framework that will guide customary land usage.
