16 schools in Zombo battle land disputes

Zombo: The Zombo District Education Department has flagged 16 government-aided schools entangled in ongoing land disputes with neighboring communities, raising concerns over the sustainability of public education amid escalating land tenure conflicts.

According to District Education Officer (DEO) Nickolas Odeba, the majority of the affected institutions are Catholic-founded, with cases ranging from land encroachment to outright litigation.

He made the revelation during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua to address the land conflict at Oturgang Boys Primary School.

“RDC, 16 schools in Zombo are grappling with land issues,” said Odeba. “These conflicts demand urgent mediation and institutional support.”

Oturgang Boys Primary School is currently under legal dispute, while Awasi and Ajigu Primary Schools are navigating unresolved claims. Ajigu’s case was recently settled through community-led negotiations.

Zombo’s population has surpassed 300,000, according to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) data. This growth has intensified pressure on limited land resources, fueling disputes over land ownership, access rights, and usage – particularly in areas where customary land tenure dominates.

Silivani Orwinyu, Chairperson of Oturgang Boys’ School Management Committee, appealed to the RDC for government-facilitated alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, while several head teachers voiced frustration over persistent encroachment.

“Since 2013, we’ve faced continuous encroachment,” said Alex Susu, Head Teacher at Oturgang Boys Primary.
“These disputes are demoralizing teachers and disrupting learning,” added Rose Manano, Head Teacher of Oturgang Girls Primary.

Valentine Owile, Head Teacher of Awasi Primary, described a recent violent land-grabbing incident that left the school community shaken.

RDC Ayikobua directed schools to report disputes to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for coordinated legal support.

“Government institutions are protected by the Attorney General’s office,” Ayikobua stated. “The DEO should work with the CAO to initiate legal redress and safeguard these schools.”

Assistant RDC Bruno Manano emphasized the need for communities to value public institutions, while the Parish Priest of Paidha Catholic Parish encouraged restorative dialogue to settle disputes amicably.

Land disputes in Uganda are fueled by high population growth, poor land governance, and overlapping land rights within a dualist system of customary and statutory tenure. In Zombo, most land is held under unregistered customary systems, often lacking clear boundaries or documentation, creating fertile ground for competing claims and encroachment.

Political interference, historical ignorance, corruption, and the legacy of conflict further complicate the landscape.

“Many young people are unaware of historical land donations to schools and churches,” noted Emilio Uwonda, Secretary of the LCI Chairpersons Association in Paidha Town Council. “This gap fuels disputes.”

To address the crisis, Life Concern, a Zombo-based NGO, launched a four-year initiative in 2024 titled “Unlocking Citizens’ Land Rights for Peaceful Coexistence.” The project operates in Nyapea, Paidha, Atyak, and Jang Okoro sub-counties and promotes reconciliation through dialogue, public awareness, and engagement with cultural, religious, and media actors.

The Alur Kingdom, led by His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, has also warned traditional chiefs against participating in or enabling land grabbing, pledging to uphold justice in land matters.

A 2024 report on Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Uganda highlighted that 95% of Ugandans experienced legal problems between 2016 and 2020, with land disputes accounting for a significant portion further underlining the urgency for robust, community-sensitive land governance frameworks.

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