Apac, Uganda: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Apac, Mr Andrew Onyuk, has issued a stern warning to cultural leaders and Local Council officials over their alleged role in fuelling land conflicts across the district.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at Chegere Sub-county headquarters on Tuesday, Mr Onyuk cautioned that arbitrary land distribution by clan authorities is creating disunity and threatening the inheritance rights of future generations.
“Some of you are dividing land like cassava without planning, consultation, or accountability. Land belongs to families. It is not a commodity to be fragmented at will by clan heads,” Onyuk said. He urged cultural leaders to protect land rather than preside over its destruction, emphasizing that land is the identity, livelihood, and inheritance of the people.
The meeting convened clan elders, local council officials, sub-county chiefs, civil society representatives, and residents to discuss rising land disputes in areas such as Ibuje, Chegere, Akokoro, and Apac town.
Cultural Leader Supports RDC’s Stand
The Awitong (clan head) of Adyegi, Mr. Wacio Dickens Olak, endorsed Onyuk’s position, admitting that some cultural leaders have overstepped their authority and contributed to family conflicts through reckless land allocation.
“Land should be protected, utilized wisely, and left intact for future generations. I support the RDC’s call to let us lead by preserving our land, not partitioning it,” Olak said. He also called for stronger local land management structures and clear guidelines limiting clan leaders’ power over land distribution.
Local Council Officials Under Fire
The RDC also warned LC1 and LC2 officials against signing off on controversial land agreements without proper documentation.
“Some of you have turned your offices into land brokerage centres. You are signing agreements without family consent, without verifying boundaries, and without thinking of the consequences. If you are found participating in illegal land sales, you will be held personally accountable,” Onyuk stated.
Civil society actors note that poor documentation and weak enforcement of land laws have exacerbated disputes in Apac. Conflicts often arise from unclear inheritance claims, unregulated subdivisions by clan heads, and contradictory decisions by different authorities.
Mr. Onyuk challenged all leaders to take responsibility for safeguarding communal land. “If we destroy our land, we destroy our people. Land is not just soil; it is the foundation of our survival, our economy, and our legacy,” he said.
He urged families to prioritize productive uses of land, including agriculture, livestock farming, and tree planting, rather than endless subdivisions that leave plots unsustainable for livelihoods. “Think of your grandchildren. What will they inherit if every piece of land is sold or divided today? We need intergenerational thinking, not short-term gain,” Onyuk added.
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