Okore Land Dispute: Community vs. Proprietors in Katakwi Legal Battle

A long-standing conflict over a substantial piece of land in Okore Sub-county, Katakwi District, has intensified, pitting community leaders against individuals holding registered titles. Local officials assert that the land rightfully belongs to thousands of residents who have utilized it for generations for farming and grazing.

This dispute reappeared in court this week, where residents and their representatives had anticipated a hearing. However, the case was adjourned due to the case file not being ready. Community members argue that the land is communal and was unlawfully acquired by private individuals who took advantage of the displacement of residents during past periods of insecurity.

Okore Sub-county Chairperson Charles Ikabaat alleged that during insurgencies, when many families fled their homes, certain individuals surveyed and subsequently obtained titles for this ancestral land. He further claimed that the land title was transferred in 2021 to the mother of an unnamed politician, raising questions about the transaction’s legitimacy.

Sources close to the registered proprietors, however, dispute these claims, asserting that the land was acquired legally and that the current conflict is largely politically motivated. These sources suggest that investigations by anti-corruption bodies have not substantiated claims of mass displacement from the land, questioning the identity and prior residency of the alleged 3,000 families.

These sources also contend that court orders requiring individual affidavits from claimants have seen limited compliance. Furthermore, they point to historical land records indicating no significant settlements on the contested area for decades and defend the reinstatement of a land title, stating a previous cancellation did not follow due process.

The case is considered one of the most significant land disputes in the Teso sub-region, with accusations of manipulation and misinformation exchanged between opposing sides. As the legal proceedings continue, both community members and title holders remain firm in their positions, awaiting a judicial resolution.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/350894/okore-land-dispute-deepens-divides-leaders-in-katakwi