UGANDA, Kiryandongo | Real Muloodi News | Kiryandongo District, like many other regions in Uganda, grapples with a surge in land disputes, prompting concerns from local authorities.
Ms Edith Aliguma Adyeri, the LC5 chairperson of Kiryandongo, expressed distress over the profound impact of these disputes on the lives, dignity, and education of residents in the district.
Land conflicts in Kiryandongo often emerge when individuals, frequently blood relatives, vie for control over the same piece of land.
Additionally, disputes arise when community members lay claim to unutilised government land. Ms Adyeri emphasised that the repercussions of these land and environmental rights issues are tangible, affecting people directly and indirectly.
Speaking at a meeting held at the district headquarters, Ms Adyeri underscored the urgent need to address the escalating land and environmental rights challenges in Kiryandongo.
The one-day dialogue, organised by Witness Radio in collaboration with Oxfam and Kiryandongo District leadership, brought together private companies, civil society representatives, and local government officials to explore alternative remedies.
Ms Adyeri lamented the severe consequences of land disputes, citing instances where individuals have lost their lives, families torn apart, and siblings estranged due to conflicts over land rights.
The chairperson highlighted the growing difficulty in accessing justice, with legal processes often leaving disputing parties in suspense.
The impact of these disputes extends to the education of children in the region. Ms Adyeri revealed that some children lack access to education directly because of the ongoing land and environmental rights challenges.
Jonathan Akweteireho, the deputy Resident District Commissioner of Kiryandongo, urged the need for sensitivity to the historical injustice in the area.
Referring to the restructuring of 38 ranches under the guidance of international organisations like the World Bank, he emphasised that unresolved issues persist in those areas where people were allowed to settle without receiving titles.
Jeff Wokulira Ssebaggala, the executive director of Witness Radio, emphasised the importance of a well-functional land sector in supporting land users and investors.
He stressed the need for efficient mechanisms to resolve land disputes and reduce inefficiencies in the system.
David Kyategeka, the secretary to the Kiryandongo District Land Board, acknowledged that while the issue of land rights is clear, the primary challenge lies in sensitising locals to understand and assert the rights they should enjoy from this vital resource.
The dialogue aimed to shed light on the plight of land and environmental rights defenders, indigenous communities, and responsible land-based investments.
As Kiryandongo grapples with the multifaceted repercussions of land disputes, the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders seek to address these challenges and pave the way for a more equitable and just resolution to ongoing issues.
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