Land in Acholi becoming a curse

The Acholi sub-region is on the brink of chaos as land disputes continue to ravage the area, leaving a trail of destruction and despair.

The Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has castigated the government for failing to recognise cultural institutions’ role in land management. Acana asserts that the region has struggled to address the Balalo issue because the government has failed to appreciate the customary land system in the area.

In recent years, the question of land has become another crisis in the Acholi sub-region. From the Balalo to Apaa, public ranches, and internal land conflicts, no solutions to these challenges have been found.

The Acholi Paramount Chief has called on the government to respect the land tenure system in the region.

“We have a rich cultural heritage, and our land management system is an integral part of it,” Acana said. “The government must recognise and respect this system if we are to find a lasting solution to these disputes.”

According to Acana, wealthy individuals in the region are exploiting the most vulnerable when it comes to land issues.

With the largest percentage of people on remand at Gulu Prison for crimes stemming from land matters, Acana has called on the judiciary to collaborate with cultural institutions to address these issues. He emphasised the significance of customary land ownership in the Acholi sub-region.

“Fifty percent of prisoners in Gulu Prison are detained for land-related crimes, a clear indication of the severity of the problem. These conflicts have also led to community tensions and social unrest, threatening to destabilise the entire region,” said Rwot Acana.

The Paramount Chief has urged the government to respect the customary land tenure system and work with cultural institutions to address the challenges facing the Acholi people.