Ker Kwaro Acholi struggling to implement ban on rampant sale of land

GULU – Ker Kwaro Acholi, the cultural institution of Acholi is struggling to implement a ban it recently issued against the excessive sale of land by its subjects.

In November last year, Ker Kwaro Acholi banned its subjects from selling land exceeding 50 acres, with the cultural institution wanting to take over management of any sales beyond 10 acres. Through this, it was hoped that the cultural institution would investigate and understand the reasons for selling land measuring 10 acres and above.

Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Paramount Chief of Acholi Chiefdom is concerned that a section of land dealers have declined to heed the cultural institution’s ban on selling land, the latter claiming the elders and the cultural institution do not own the land.

Acana said that as a result of the rampant unregulated land sale, Acholi Sub-region will continue to experience land disputes and violent conflicts.

“I was told that a section of people who are selling land in Acholi said that I don’t have land and therefore I don’t have rights to stop those who want to sell. As a result, we will continue seeing land grabbing which of course will spark violent conflicts in the sub-region,” Acana warned.

According to Acana, usually, people sell land for persistent challenges including school fees, burials, and sickness. He however said these problems will continue to be there.

Juma Pa Labongo, the Prime Minister of Lamogi Chiefdom in Amuru district blamed land brokers who he said are more interested in making money at the expense of the future of Acholi.

Labongo said the rate at which land is being sold in Acholi is alarming, calling upon other stakeholders and government to regulate the use of the region’s land.

“If you go to social media platforms, you find people advertising land for sale. For instance, I have seen people advertising to sell 100 acres and above, at as low as Shs 100,000 per acre,” Labongo said.

Last year, local governments in Acholi Sub-region were also tasked to come up with by-laws regulating land use in the district.

Meanwhile, the district Committee on Production and Natural Resources is still working on a resolution seeking to regulate land use in the district, as guided by Ker Kwaro Acholi in November last year.

Richard Bongomin Luganya, the Omoro district council speaker said they have not received any official communication from Ker Kwaro Acholi as regards the need to formulate an ordinance regulating the rampant land sale in the area.

Luganya however said the district council needs to consult with community members before leaders can come up with an ordinance on use.

“As Omoro district, we don’t have any communication in regards to the official position of Ker Kwaro Acholi as regards last year’s resolution to ban rampant land sale in Lango. So there is nothing we have done to that effect,” Luganya said.

Acholi Sub-region districts of Amuru, Nwoya, Gulu, and Lamwo have in recent times seen a spike in large commercial farmers thronging the area to acquire huge chunks of land for their livestock farms. This has however sparked disputes over ownership.

https://thecooperator.news/acholi-leaders-want-locals-involved-in-massive-production-of-food-crops/

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