By Alele Ronald Ongwech
Otuke, Uganda – February 14, 2025
A long-standing land conflict between the people of Otuke and Abim districts took center stage yesterday as State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, led a high-level delegation to resolve the decade-long dispute.
The heated meeting, held at the border of the two districts in Anyalima, Ogor Subcounty, Otuke East, brought together government officials, security leaders, cultural representatives, and residents affected by the dispute.
The dispute, which started in 2013, has seen Lango residents displaced from their ancestral land, with many now renting in trading centers. Despite previous interventions, including efforts by then-Minister of Lands Betty Amongi Akena in 2018, tensions have persisted, with recent violent clashes reported.
Ogor Subcounty LCIII Chairperson Jasper Okengo implored Minister Mayanja to take decisive action, stating that the land historically belonged to the Lango people. He recalled that in 2018, a GPS survey placed the disputed area within Lango territory and urged the Minister to order a boundary road demarcation to prevent future conflicts.
His counterpart from Ogwete Subcounty, LCIII Chairperson Okweda Peter, warned that similar tensions were spreading to his area, emphasizing the urgency of demarcating clear administrative boundaries.
Meanwhile, Abim District LCV Chairperson Jonny Dewest Ariko argued that the conflict was not about district boundaries but individual land disputes. He insisted that land ownership should be determined legally, stating, “Anyone can own land anywhere in Uganda, but it depends on how they acquire it.”
Otuke District LCV Chairperson Francis Abola took a neutral stance, asserting that resolving the dispute should not be about district affiliations but ensuring that those who legally own land reclaim their property. He urged residents to remain calm and assured them that justice would be served.
Reports emerged that as leaders mobilized for the meeting, a group from Abim, allegedly from the Ituri tribe (Ja-Bwor), arrived with machetes, threatening violence. Fortunately, the security team intervened, preventing potential bloodshed.
Otuke RDC George Abudul condemned the incident and urged residents to avoid being manipulated by politicians, warning, “Do not fight for land that does not belong to you. President Museveni values peace, and we must respect that.”
Otuke East MP Julius Acon Bua emphasized that the issue was not about boundaries but land grabbing. He recalled that in 2018, the land was largely vacant, but new structures have since appeared, raising questions about land ownership. He urged patience as GPS mapping would be conducted, ensuring rightful owners remained on their land.
His counterpart from Abim, MP Ocero Norman, reassured locals that the conflict would be resolved immediately, given the Minister’s presence.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Mayanja stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence, saying, “Living together as brothers and sisters in one country is the best thing. You cannot expect someone from Kampala to solve this issue when you, the residents, understand the reality on the ground.”
He announced the formation of a local committee, supported by the State House, to resolve the dispute within 30 days.
The committee will comprise:
– RDCs from Otuke and Abim (leaders)
– Two cultural leaders (one from each district)
– LCII chairpersons from affected parishes
– Religious leaders (three from each district)
– Speakers and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) from both districts
– Elders who previously inhabited the disputed land
– District Internal Security Officers (DISO) (to act as secretaries)
– Abim RDC as Committee Chairperson
The Minister instructed the committee to begin work immediately, ensuring that all displaced persons reclaim their land.
