Security authorities have raised concern over escalating communal land disputes in the Karamoja and Teso sub-regions, warning that the conflicts could undermine peace, security and socio-economic development.
The Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Brig Gen Michael Hyeroba Wakala, issued the warning during a joint regional security meeting held at the 403 Brigade Headquarters in Matany, Napak District.
The meeting brought together security and district leaders to review persistent land disputes in Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong districts, with particular focus on conflicts involving gazetted land, communal grazing corridors and inter-district boundaries.
Brig Gen Hyeroba said the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) would take firm action against violence, incitement and illegal occupation arising from land disputes.
He directed commanders under the 3 Infantry Division to act against individuals or groups that take the law into their own hands, stressing that no community should evict, attack or destroy another community’s property over land claims.
According to Brig Gen Hyeroba, unclear boundaries and unresolved historical and administrative issues have created opportunities for land disputes to be exploited to fuel violence.
He tasked the joint security committee with conducting a comprehensive verification of gazetted land, communal areas and local government land, before submitting recommendations to the Government.
Meanwhile, Napak Resident District Commissioner Milton Odongo called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and local leaders, saying isolated interventions had failed to provide lasting solutions.
Odongo announced plans to deploy joint security teams to identified hotspots across the affected districts to prevent violence, illegal land demarcations and the destruction of property.
He also warned local leaders against inciting communities over land disputes, saying those found responsible would be held accountable.
Odongo said the conflicts had moved beyond ordinary community disagreements and now required a coordinated, multi-agency response involving security agencies and relevant government ministries.
He further said he would engage the Minister for Karamoja Affairs to facilitate the involvement of the Ministries of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and Local Government in finding a lasting policy solution.
The Deputy RDC of Abim District, Gilbert Okwir, urged communities in Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong to maintain unity and avoid confrontation over disputed boundaries.
Okwir commended joint operations by the UPDF, Uganda Police Force and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), saying efforts to curb cattle raids had helped reduce some of the tensions contributing to land disputes.
The Deputy Commander of the 5 Infantry Division, Col Gai Fraser Mpadwa, called on field commanders to strengthen intelligence sharing and community engagement to identify and address potential flashpoints before they escalate into violence.
The meeting was attended by senior UPDF commanders, brigade and ASTU commanders, District Internal Security Officers, intelligence officers and Resident District Commissioners from the affected districts.
The security leadership resolved to strengthen coordination, improve land-related information and address emerging hotspots as authorities seek to prevent communal land disputes from reversing peace gains in Karamoja and Teso.