LEMU returns to Apac to solve escalating land conflicts in Lango Region

Apac, Uganda: The Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU) has officially reopened its regional office in Apac District, marking a decisive return aimed at tackling the surge in land conflicts across the Lango subregion.

The reopening ceremony, held on Saturday, October 04, at Chegere Sub-County headquarters, drew district leaders, community representatives, and civil society actors. LEMU’s Executive Director, Ms. Theresa Auma, said the organization’s comeback underscores its renewed commitment to promoting land justice, mediation, and equitable land access.

“Our return to Apac is not by coincidence. It follows a series of engagements with local stakeholders who echoed the urgent need for our presence due to widespread land issues,” Ms. Auma told DailyExpress.

She expressed gratitude to the Apac District leadership for supporting the organization’s re-establishment and confirmed that LEMU had been allocated office space at Chegere Sub County headquarters to coordinate its operations across the Lango subregion.

Ms. Auma also commended Mr. Benard Otim Odoc, the NRM flag bearer for Apac Municipality, for his instrumental role in lobbying for LEMU’s return, describing him as a “son of the soil” whose consistent advocacy helped bring national attention to the region’s deepening land crisis.

“Mr. Odoc has been a strong voice for the people, and it was through his persistence that we were able to engage deeply with the community’s concerns,” she said.

LEMU’s return comes at a time when land wrangles have become one of the leading causes of social tension, displacement, and insecurity in Lango. The organization will focus on community mediation, legal awareness, and protection of vulnerable landowners, particularly women and the elderly who are often victims of land fraud and boundary conflicts.

Apac Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr. Andrew Onyuk welcomed the development, hailing it as a timely intervention that complements government efforts in stabilizing land governance.

“We are happy to have LEMU back in Apac. As a government, we believe in partnerships that strengthen service delivery, especially in conflict-prone sectors like land. LEMU has the capacity and track record to make a difference,” Mr. Onyuk stated.

Local leaders noted that LEMU’s previous operations had greatly reduced land-related cases through grassroots mediation, public education, and cooperation with local courts. The organization’s absence, they said, had left a vacuum that allowed disputes to escalate into violence and displacement.

Chegere Sub County Chief Mr. Innocent Abongo described the reopening as a “return of hope” for communities that have long endured land injustices without effective recourse.

“This is not just the reopening of an office, it’s the return of hope for communities that have suffered quietly for too long,” he said.

Community members in attendance voiced optimism that LEMU’s expertise in customary land management will restore fairness and accountability in land ownership and dispute resolution.

“Apac and surrounding districts are overwhelmed with land-related cases. These conflicts are not only legal but humanitarian concerns. Our return is a direct response to a problem that can no longer be ignored,” Ms. Auma emphasized.

With its office now operational, LEMU is expected to roll out a new regional framework for handling land grievances, beginning with sensitization campaigns, mediation training for local leaders, and establishment of documentation systems for customary land tenure.