How Alur Kingdom Plans to end land disputes amongst it’s subjects

The 33rd king of Alur Ubimu Philip Rauni Ularker III has made commitment of addressing the issue of protracted land disputes amongst his subjects. #WhisperEyeNews

During the swearing in ceremony of the new duty bearers recently at Alur Kingdom Palace ( Kal Atyak),  The King expressed his deep concerns on the numerous land conflicts that is resulting into loss of lives and properties. He cited an example of a case in which a man was reportedly killed in Aka Subcounty Zombo District,  which resulted into loss of lives and burning of over 200 huts.

In a bid to directly address this protracted land disputes in the land, The king has called upon the office of the prime minister headed by Opar Lawrence Angala, to work hand in hand with chiefs and his office to tackle different land disputes in the kingdom.

Through this channel, the King is Optimistic that the spiraling cases of  land wrangles shall be amicably addressed.

“The Jadipu Ker Alur currently has a huge task of cleaning up land conflicts in our kingdom, we have alot of challenges that we are  facing and bringing alot of  divisions amongst us.This has not shown a good spot light on Alur, We need to work together to resolve these such that the Kingdom is peaceful.” The king said.

The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Retired Lt Col Pius Alitema has given commitment of working hand in hand with the kingdom to ensure the numerous land cases are addressed amicably.

” As government I want to say we are ready to work with you and am so happy that His Majesty you invited me to come here and know the ministers and directors  we are  going to work with” Alitema said.

Meanwhile, Francis Bolingo The District councillor of Athuma Sub_County who also sits in the Zombo District social services committee has explained that  addressing the issue of protracted land disputes in the land needs concerted effort.

“The kingdom, religious and political leaders should work hand and hand to adress the issue because it touches all of us “, Bolingo stressed.

The Chairperson Land Board Aka Sub_County Micheal Ngamadhe said the subcounty has over 20 cases of serious land conflicts which should draw attention of everyone to avoid bloodshed.

Cases 

Mundel Parish in Nyapea Sub county. There has been serious land wrangles in Nyapea Sub_County but lately calm has returned thanks to the intervention of Alur Kingdom and The office of the District Resident Commissioner.

Aka Sub_County  in Zombo has more than 20 cases of serious land wrangles still pending. The Chairperson Land Board Aka Sub_County Micheal Ngamadhe recently appealed for  the kingdom and the District intervention to avoid bloodshed.

In Kucwiny Subcounty Nebbi District, cases of land wrangles are rife. The Sub_County court headed by the LC3 chairperson was able to amicably resolve 28 cases of Protracted land disputes from 2021 to date but many cases are pending.

Land ownership

Land in Alur is predominantly customary owned meaning ,  indigenous communities  manage it in accordance with their customs. Customary land tenure is widespread throughout Uganda and covers more than half of the country. Most of it is found in the east and northern parts of the country with some traces found in part of western Uganda.However, a Certificate of Customary Ownership (CCO) can be issued and a freehold title obtained if the land is converted to freehold tenure.Although it is usually characterized by non-registration of interests, lack of registration does not invalidate a customary tenure according to the Justice center Uganda.

Alur Kingdom boast of over 8 million subjects that cut across Uganda and Democratic Republic of  Congo and those living in diaspora.It has 64 chiefdoms.

Experts and some opinion leaders in Alur Land say many don’t have land tittles and thus springboard to some of the wrangles.