The privatization of over 45,000 hectares of Acholi Sub-region’s government land has brought to the forefront issues of land rights and the stewardship of public assets. The Ministry of Lands’ report detailing private acquisitions of more than 158,100 hectares through leasehold and freehold titles since 1968 highlights a pressing concern for equitable land governance.

Prof Jack Nyeko Penmogi, the acting chair of the Uganda Land Commission, has pointed out the legal anomaly of freehold ownership on public land, suggesting that such titles are subject to revocation. This revelation is particularly significant in Gulu District, which holds a large number of these titles, compared to Agago District’s five.

The broader picture in the Acholi Sub-region, with its 2.8 million hectares and 5,494 processed land titles, reflects a complex scenario of land tenure. The predominance of leasehold titles suggests a strategic approach to land management that may prioritize long-term state control and sustainable development.

The community’s concerns, as voiced by Mr. Otinga Otto Atuka, deputy paramount chief of the Acholi chiefdom, about the aggressive tactics of the National Forestry Authority and the National Environment Management Authority, underscore the need for a balanced and fair land policy. The case of settlers in Pabbo Sub-county’s forest reserve seeking land titles post-conflict illustrates the delicate balance between environmental conservation and the recognition of local community rights.

This situation calls for a concerted effort to establish transparent, equitable, and sustainable land policies that respect the rights of all stakeholders and promote the region’s long-term prosperity.