Amuru/Nwoya, Uganda: The West Acholi Cooperative Union is preparing to launch a major cattle restocking programme on 7,000 acres of land in Amuru and Nwoya districts, a move aimed at reviving livestock production and restoring the cooperative’s economic influence in the Acholi sub-region.
However, union leaders say the ambitious plan faces a major obstacle as large portions of the land are currently occupied by settlers, leaving only a fraction of the land available for agricultural use.
According to Geoffrey Oryem, a board member and chairperson for production at WACU, the cooperative is currently utilising only 2,000 acres out of the 7,000 acres it owns.
“Out of the 7,000 acres that belong to the union, we are currently using only 2,000 acres,” Oryem said.
“The remaining land has been occupied by squatters who settled there over the years, making it impossible for us to fully utilise it for agricultural production.”
Oryem said the cooperative intends to reclaim the land through dialogue and peaceful engagement rather than forced evictions. “Our first step is to reopen boundaries and identify the occupants,” he explained.
“Once we have clarity, we will engage them in discussions so that we can peacefully reclaim the land. Conflict is the last resort.”
He revealed that the union has already made progress by reclaiming 899 acres of land from an individual who had been claiming ownership. “This is a significant step and gives us confidence that more land can be reclaimed with patience and proper engagement,” he said.
Legacy of post-war displacement
Union leaders attribute the land encroachment to the period following the closure of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in northern Uganda after two decades of conflict involving the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency.
During that time, many displaced families reportedly settled on the cooperative’s land instead of returning to their original villages.
“The expectation was that people would return to their ancestral homes after the camps were decommissioned, but many chose to remain and are now asserting ownership of land that is not theirs,” Oryem said.
Once the land is secured, the cooperative plans to roll out a cattle restocking programme designed to revive livestock production and strengthen the region’s agricultural economy.
Oryem said the initiative will also help create employment opportunities and support farmers who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. “This is not just about reclaiming land; it’s about reviving livestock production, creating jobs and supporting local farmers,” he said.
“If we can secure the land, we can fully exploit its potential and strengthen the cooperative’s economic impact.”
Leaders at WACU say they remain optimistic that continued dialogue with settlers and the use of legal mechanisms where necessary will allow the cooperative to reclaim the land and restore its agricultural activities.
“Our vision is to see every acre of this land utilised to improve livelihoods in the Acholi sub-region,” Oryem said. “With determination, patience and cooperation from the community, we believe it is achievable.”
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