Ugandans urged to register land to prevent disputes

By Nasuru Hassan Ocen, Dokolo | The State Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development has urged Northern and Eastern Uganda communities to embrace and prioritise land registration as a key measure to prevent land wrangles and disputes.

The call was delivered by Hendry Harison Irumba, Commissioner in charge of Policy Analysis at the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, speaking on behalf of Minister Dr. Sam Mayangza during the closing ceremony of the GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) and RELAPU (Responsible Land Policy in Uganda) project at Okwangodul sub-county headquarters in Dokolo district.

While delivering the Minister’s message, Irumba emphasised that registering land is essential for promoting safety, justice, equity, and prosperity in land governance.

He further urged beneficiaries who received land ownership certificates to safeguard and use them responsibly, promoting unity, peace, and harmony within communities.

Samuel Eriaku, Deputy Team Leader of GIZ RELAPU in Uganda, highlighted that the project has strengthened local government capacity by institutionalising land service delivery into annual planning and budgeting frameworks.

He noted that improved access to land is a key precondition for reducing poverty and hunger in rural areas.

Eriaku explained that the initiative, which started in 2020 across six sub-counties, concluded in 2025, during which over 4,500 plots of land were mapped.

More than 2,000 certificates of customary land ownership were issued. He said these measures will significantly aid in resolving land disputes in the region.

Isaac Okola, District Natural Resources Officer for Dokolo, said GIZ RELAPU has equipped the implementing sub-counties with essential land survey tools, including laptops, printers, land mapping equipment, furniture, and documentation materials to support mapping and registration efforts.

Okwangodul sub-county Chief Kevine Tapi commended GIZ RELAPU for building local capacity and providing tools that support the self-financing of land registration. Tapi pledged full commitment to the program and encouraged the community to embrace it fully.

LC3 chairperson of Okwangodul sub-county, Geoffrey Weja Odek, observed that self-financing has been widely embraced by residents, significantly reducing land conflicts.

Beneficiaries such as Docus Ateng from Amwoma sub-county and Catto Amolo from Bata sub-county testified that registering their land through the program has resolved longstanding disputes and brought peace to their communities.

The GIZ RELAPU initiative demonstrates the critical role of land registration in fostering community stability, equity, and sustainable development across Northern and Eastern Uganda.