Beyond the reach of the hoe

The struggle for land and minerals in Northern Uganda

Violent conflict in Northern Uganda is finally subsiding after three decades, and government programmes are in place to speed up the region’s recovery and development. As security improves, the mass return of internally displaced persons from camps to the region is bringing new challenges and threats. Competition over access to minerals and land ownership is increasing and is already causing violent conflict.

This study looks at the relationship of conflicts over land and natural resources with issues concerning gender relations, youth, and overall conflict reduction in Northern Uganda. It is based on extensive field research and interviews in seven districts: Amuru, Gulu, Lamwo and Nwoya in Acholi sub-region; Otuke and Lira in Lango sub-region; and Adjumani in West Nile sub-region.

Most of the conflicts are between households, families, or clans and tribes over boundaries, the desire for more land, ownership and inheritance issues, and rights to access land. They can be small-scale disputes resolvable through informal community mechanisms, or they can escalate into long-running violent feuds among people and communities. Land disputes involve local and central government, as well as commercial actors.

In this report we examine land conflicts in the region and provide recommendations for formalising land titles, strengthening land governance structures, and promoting dialogue.

“Having been deprived of their former way of living through cattle farming before the LRA war, the people of Northern Uganda have turned to land as a primary source of income following their return from the camps.”

Saferworld