Lira, Uganda – The ongoing land disputes in Lira District and Lira City’s Ireda Estate have escalated into a heated debate, drawing sharp criticism from Minister of State for Lands, Hon. Sam Mayanja, and top district and city leaders.
The minister, who visited the region to address land-related grievances, condemned illegal evictions, police misconduct, and land administration conflicts that have left many residents struggling to secure their properties.
Minister Sam Mayanja issued a stern warning against unlawful land transactions and police complicity in land grabbing.
“Public land is legally managed by district land boards. Any transactions made outside these frameworks are null and void,” he emphasized, pointing to the 1995 Constitution and the 1998 Land Act, which vested land ownership in Ugandan citizens.
The minister strongly criticized the wrongful eviction and arrest of an internationally recognized individual MP Julius Bua Acon.
He called on the District Police Commander (DPC) to ensure that the evicted person’s land is restored immediately and their security guaranteed.
He also accused law enforcement officers of colluding with land grabbers and directed that any officer involved in illegal evictions should be arrested and prosecuted without bond.
“Security forces must uphold the law, not facilitate land grabbing. Any officer caught aiding illegal land transactions will face serious consequences,” he warned.
Minister Mayanja reminded local officials of President Yoweri Museveni’s directives on land matters, stressing that failure to implement these instructions would be considered defiance of government policies.
Lira District Chairperson, RCM Okello Orik, spoke passionately about the jurisdictional conflicts between Lira District and Lira City following the latter’s creation.
He pointed out that:
● Titled land cannot be forcefully taken.
● The district land board legally allocated land to institutions like the Uganda Police Force.
● Individuals causing unnecessary land disputes are ignoring legal procedures.
He lamented the revenue losses that followed Lira City’s establishment, noting that the district now collects only UGX 600 million annually, compared to the city’s UGX 5 billion.
“The district lost key revenue-generating sub-counties like Ogur, Barr, Ngeta, and part of Adekokwok. We are now left with a purely rural area struggling financially,” he stated.
To address governance difficulties, Okello Orik proposed splitting Lira District into two separate administrative entities. He also suggested Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a means of generating revenue for the struggling district.
Deputy Mayor Rebecca Alwedo Ogole called for a clear distinction between the Lira City and Lira District land boards to prevent conflicts.
She criticized the failure to implement previous resolutions regarding land management, saying that: “If we continue ignoring agreed recommendations, land governance in Lira City will remain chaotic.”
She stressed the need for a master development plan for Lira City and urged the ministry to provide financial support for urban planning to prevent future land disputes.
Paul Cankoma, Chairperson of the Lira District Land Board, provided insight into the legal allocations of land to Uganda Police, which he said had been done transparently.
● 9.6 acres opposite the Regional Police Headquarters were allocated to Uganda Police in 2021.
● Land was provided for police barracks and City West Police Division Headquarters.
● Police, however, continue to prevent private landowners from utilizing their legally allocated plots.
Cankoma questioned why the police were creating disputes over land they had been allocated freely.
“The police should be grateful for the land they received instead of preventing others from accessing theirs. We must resolve these conflicts through legal means, not intimidation,” he said.
He called on Minister Mayanja to intervene in disputes between Uganda Police and private landowners to prevent further lawsuits against the land board.
Hon. Julius Acon Bua, Member of Parliament for Otuke East, shared a personal experience of being arrested over his own legally acquired land.
He recounted how, on January 18, 2025, armed police officers arrested him while he was demarcating his land.
He was taken to the Lira City Central Police Station (CPS), where a police officer allegedly demanded UGX 30 million from him while claiming to own his land.
“I refused to buy my land twice. Thanks to a call to the Minister of Lands, the Inspector General of Police intervened and ordered my release,” Acon said.
The MP further accused corrupt officials of systematically grabbing land from rightful owners, citing High Court Miscellaneous Case No. 016 of 2018 as an example of judicial interference in land matters.
He warned that continued land grabbing would hinder development efforts in Lango, especially as Uganda prepares to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The heated land debate in Lira has revealed deep-rooted conflicts between government institutions, local leaders, and law enforcement.
Minister Sam Mayanja’s strong stance against illegal evictions and police misconduct sets the stage for legal reforms and accountability in land governance.
However, the unresolved conflicts between Lira District and Lira City, coupled with allegations of police corruption, threaten to prolong disputes if not urgently addressed.
With increasing calls for government intervention, it remains to be seen whether the Ministry of Lands will take decisive action to bring order to Lira’s complex land issues.
