Lamwo moves to secure land titles for 6 schools to curb land grabbing

Lamwo | In a decisive move to combat rising cases of land grabbing, Lamwo district local government has embarked on the process of acquiring land titles for six government schools: both primary and secondary.

The initiative, spearheaded by the district education and lands departments, is aimed at safeguarding school properties from encroachers and ensuring the long-term security of educational institutions that serve thousands of learners across the district.

Schools targeted for land title acquisition

The schools identified in this first phase include three secondary and three primary schools: Paloga Seed Secondary School in Paloga sub-county, Padibe East Seed Secondary School in Padibe East sub-county, Padibe Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School – Padibe town council

Primary Schools are Paracelle Primary School in Palabek Nyimur sub-county, Lagwel Primary School – Padibe West sub-county and Ogili Hill Primary School in Palabek Ogili sub-county

According to Patrick Ocan, the Lamwo district education officer, the move is part of broader government efforts to improve school infrastructure and administration.

“These schools are vital assets to the district and the communities they serve. Securing their land legally is a step toward protecting public investments and ensuring future development is not hindered by land disputes,” he said.

Land grabbing threats

Land grabbing has increasingly become a threat to public infrastructure, especially schools and health centres, in many parts of Uganda. In Lamwo, cases have been reported where private individuals or groups have attempted to lay claim to school land, sometimes leading to legal battles and disruptions in school operations.

Odongmadiki David, the district vice chairperson, confirmed that the district is working closely with the Ministry of Lands and other relevant agencies to expedite the land title process.

“We are mapping all targeted school land parcels, verifying boundaries, and engaging with local leaders to avoid future conflicts,” he explained.

Community applauds the initiative

Local leaders and residents have welcomed the district’s efforts. Florence Acan, a resident and a parent whose child studies at Ogili Hill Primary School, praised the move.

“We have waited for this for a long time. Some people have been trying to grab part of our school land. With a title, we will have the legal backing to protect what belongs to our children,” she said.

James Ochola, councilor LC5 for Palabek Nyimur sub-county and district Speaker, added that securing school land titles is not just about protection but development.

“When schools have legal ownership of land, they can attract more government support and development partners who want assurance that their investments are secure,” he noted.

Next steps

The district leadership has revealed that after this first batch, they plan to extend the land titling process to more schools in the coming years, subject to funding and successful implementation of this phase.

Lamwo district Chief Administrative Officer, Thomson Obong, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Education is one of our district’s top priorities. We cannot allow the future of our children to be compromised by land conflicts. This is a long-overdue move that we are proud to be implementing.”

The land title acquisition process is expected to be completed within the current financial year, and it is hoped that it will serve as a model for other districts in the Acholi sub-region facing similar challenges.