Lango cultural leaders push for greater role in customary land disputes

6 May 2026, 3:32 pm

By Winnie Auma

A section of cultural leaders in the Lango sub-region is calling on courts of law to allow them to take a leading role in handling disputes involving customary land.

Dickens Wasio Olak, the clan head of Adyegi, said many people have lost their land through court processes, which he believes often disadvantage local communities.

He urged residents to register their customary land to reduce conflicts and prevent illegal land sales, noting that the registration process ensures all family members are recognised.

Charles Omara, the clan chief of Atek Alunga Dolo, expressed concern over the rising number of land disputes. He alleged that some individuals manipulate court processes by hiring lawyers and bribing witnesses, which he says has resulted in unfair rulings.

Omara added that the stress and trauma arising from such cases have, in some instances, led to deaths among affected families. He insisted that clan leaders are better placed to handle these disputes because they understand the history and boundaries of the land.

Filomena Adongo, the women’s representative of the Atel Mon me Otek Omwora clan, echoed similar sentiments. She said community-based mechanisms should be prioritised since local leaders are more familiar with land ownership and boundary histories.

However, legal experts have cautioned against completely sidelining the courts.

Emmanuel Egaru, the representative of lawyers from Northern Uganda on the Uganda Law Society Council, explained that the Land Act, under Article 88 of the Land Regulations, 2004, allows clan leaders to mediate land disputes. He clarified, however, that the law does not grant them authority to make binding rulings, a mandate reserved for courts unless Parliament amends the law.

Meanwhile, Dr Theresa Auma, Executive Director of the Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU), said her organisation has launched a campaign dubbed “Keep Your Land, Keep Your Seed” to promote proper land management and the preservation of indigenous seeds.

She warned that increasing land conflicts, coupled with land degradation, are threatening agricultural productivity and food security, largely due to limited knowledge of sustainable land use.

As land disputes continue to rise in Lango, the debate over who should handle customary land conflicts remains unresolved, with cultural leaders advocating for greater authority while legal experts emphasise the need to operate within existing laws.