Alebtong, Uganda – The Office of the President in Alebtong has put an end to a bitter land dispute in Abia Central, restoring peace among the affected families.
Acting under President Museveni’s February 28, 2022 directive, Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ongom Lameck and Deputy RDC Mathias Lutwama intervened on March, 27, 2025, to resolve the ownership battle over a 60-acre piece of land involving Opio David, Ayang Junior and eight other families.
The dispute revolved around whether Opio David had sole ownership of the land inherited from the late Apili Norah, whether the Ocukwagole clan had the authority to deny eight families their right to live there and whether Opio David’s family could invoke Section 39(7) of the Land Act without the consent of other relatives.
Deputy RDC Lutwama ruled that Article 237(1) of Uganda’s Constitution must guide all land-related matters, stressing that no one has the right to unlawfully evict another.
He reaffirmed that women’s land rights cannot be denied under Section 47 of the Law of Intestate Succession and urged residents to take advantage of the Ministry of Lands’ new guidelines on securing certificates of title for customary land.
Following consultations with elders, including Mzee Okidi Bob and Okeng Ojubabel, Lutwama delivered a final decision.
He ordered that all eight families be allowed to return to their land without fear of eviction or harassment.
“This land belongs to the people of Abia Central. No one has the authority to displace another from their ancestral home. We must uphold justice and unity,” Lutwama declared.
Some of the affected families lauded Deputy RDC Lutwama for his role in restoring peace to their community, with one family representative saying, “We have been living in constant fear of being forced off our land. Today, we are finally able to live in peace, thanks to the decision of Deputy RDC Lutwama.”
The ruling by the Office of the President in Alebtong restores stability in Abia Central and ensures that all affected families can continue living on their land peacefully.
Residents have been urged to respect the law and seek lawful avenues to resolve disputes.