Pader, Uganda: A protracted land dispute in Acholibur Sub-county, Pader District, is threatening to stall a Shs3 billion cassava processing factory project jointly backed by the Government of Uganda and the Gulu Archdiocese, raising fears over the future of one of northern Uganda’s most significant agro-industrial investments.
The proposed cassava factory, which is being spearheaded by the Gulu Archdiocese with support from the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), is expected to boost value addition, create employment opportunities and improve household incomes for thousands of cassava farmers across the Acholi sub-region.
At the centre of the dispute is a 179-acre piece of land claimed by two families, the estate of the late Ignatius Lakere Latigo and that of the late Odwong Joseph Lagoro, both of which maintain ownership rights over the property earmarked for the project.
The dispute escalated following a court-directed boundary opening exercise conducted by a joint security team led by Pader Resident District Commissioner Amos Banyizi. Several affected families have since protested the exercise, claiming it was carried out without their knowledge or participation.
Families question boundary exercise
Mr. Latigo Morris, administrator of the estate of the late Ignatius Lakere Latigo, said his family was never notified about the recent boundary demarcation despite earlier agreements that required all stakeholders to be involved.
He recalled that a stakeholders’ meeting held last year, attended by Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama of the Gulu Archdiocese and other parties, had resolved that any future activities on the disputed land would involve all affected families.
According to Morris, his family was shocked to find the RDC accompanied by armed security personnel carrying out activities on land they claim belongs to them.
“We expected dialogue and participation of all stakeholders before any action was taken,” Morris said.
Local leaders have also questioned how the exercise was conducted.
The LCIII Chairperson of Acholibur Town Council, Okumu Robert, said his office was neither informed nor requested to mobilise residents before the boundary opening exercise.
Mr. Ocen Paul, one of the affected stakeholders, appealed to government to intervene, warning that nearly 150 families could lose land if the matter is not handled transparently.
He further alleged that influential individuals could be influencing the ongoing demarcation despite what he described as valid documentation showing that the affected families still hold an active 49-year lease over the land.
Rival family rejects encroachment claims
On the other hand, Dr. Lam James Lagoro, representing the estate of the late Odwong Joseph Lagoro, dismissed allegations that his family had encroached on the disputed land, insisting that their claim is legitimate.
The disagreement has heightened tensions within the community, with residents demanding an impartial resolution before implementation of the multi-billion-shilling investment.
The situation further deteriorated when some family members reportedly sought clarification from officials at Pader District headquarters over the boundary exercise.
According to affected residents, several people were arrested and detained by police before being released later that evening.
Pader District Police Commander Bogere Jackson defended the operation, saying police were implementing directives issued by the Inspector General of Police on September 25, 2025.
He explained that implementation had initially been delayed because of the election period and was later carried out within the required timeframe.
Court records indicate that the disputed land overlaps boundaries claimed by both estates and that there are no clear cadastral records conclusively identifying ownership of the contested area.
To establish the rightful owners, the court directed that sub-county officials, parish leaders and local authorities work together to verify ownership through settlement histories and community-based inquiries.
The verification process is expected to determine the legitimate ownership of the land before any further developments proceed.
Major investment at stake
The proposed cassava processing factory is among the flagship agro-industrial projects expected to transform northern Uganda through value addition, increased agricultural production and expanded market opportunities for farmers.
Once operational, the factory is expected to create employment, improve incomes for cassava growers and strengthen agro-processing in the Acholi sub-region.
However, unless the ownership dispute is resolved amicably, the ambitious project could face significant delays, leaving hundreds of families and billions of shillings in planned investment hanging in the balance.
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