Chegere sub-county recognises LEMU’s work with office space, land

Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU’s) roles especially in protecting customary land ownership, have been recognised by Chegere sub-county, Apac district leaders, and members of the community.

The recognition comes as LEMU convened the Public Legal Clinic and Indigenous Seed Exhibition at Chegere sub-county headquarters, Maruzi North, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Over 200 local leaders, among them religious and cultural, attended the Legal Clinic, and more than 300 attended the open exhibition event.

Now in operation for 22 years, LEMU’s journey started from Apac district with its founding Executive Director, the late Judy Adoko, who passed away on March 5, 2023.

According to Dr Theresa Auma, the Executive Director, LEMU has had the most important location in Okwongdul sub-county, Dokolo district. She’s expecting the same in Chegere.

Abongo Innocent, the sub-county chief of Chegere, said the council decided to recognise LEMU’s great community work with an office space and an acre of land.

He noted that LEMU will ensure that there is “a reduction in terms of land conflict, land fragmentation, but also looking at uplifting the level of productivity in our community.”

“Two, around this time, we have had so many partners – some partners come and they are not … you don’t see their impact, but for LEMU, I can assure you, I can confirm that we have a serious impact. That’s why we have entered into: ‘I want to call it a permanent relationship, permanent partnership’.”

Because of the observable impacts LEMU has had on the community for the last two decades and two years, Abongo reveals that they were motivated to go ahead to offer them office space for the Lango sub-region.

“We are going to support them to ensure that they serve the entire Lango sub-region – beyond. That’s the basis of offering the land and the office space, but also security on whatever interventions they will bring to the community.”

Speaking shortly after the handover, Dr Theresa Auma submitted “a vote of thanks” to Chegere sub-county leadership for “recognising important work that LEMU has been doing in Uganda for the last 22 years in defence of customary land.”

During these long years, Dr Theresa says they have worked “hand in hand with the community.” “Thank you for offering this space for LEMU to continue working with the community, and I think being rooted in the community will allow LEMU to do more, and I think it will also give visibility to Chegere, to the Apac district.”

She added: “I want to say that as a local government, Apac will become one of our most important locations where we work. Our most important location has been Dokolo. Dokolo district local government gave LEMU all the support.”

In June 2024, LEMU hosted a global event in Okwongdul sub-county with a delegation from 48 countries. “People wanted to learn how NGOs collaborate with the government, and because of the commitment of the local government, we had nowhere else, and it was taken to Okwongdul sub-county with the full support of the district leadership.

“Today, we have seen a kind of commitment – as you lead – we shall follow,” Dr Theresa concluded.

Jennifer Otim of Iler parish, Teboke sub-county, believes that the presence of LEMU in the district will help reduce customary land conflicts. She advises clan leaders to listen to LEMU’s teaching and intervention which she states has been massive.

“If they go back and refuse to accept bribes, land conflicts and family division will reduce and land issues will be settled,” Otim, who was one of the participants at the Public Legal Clinic, said.

Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Apac, Andrew Onyuk, was the chief guest at the event. He celebrated what he described as “the marriage and wedding between Chegere sub-county and LEMU.”

Saying he was “acting as a priest,” RDC Onyuk added: “This is a wedding with a slogan that until death do us part.”

“Please, do the rightful thing, do the greening and demonstrate a proper way of doing it.”