Cultural institutions are the oldest and most enduring institutions of governance in Uganda. The Independence Constitution of 1962 confirmed the development of sectarianism where various kingdoms had more or less been governed as autonomous areas, and it was therefore necessary to create a national system presided over by a universally accepted head of state (Odongo 2000:38). As a result, the Independence Constitution provided for a semi-federal system where kingdoms achieved a full federal status while other kingdoms a semi-federal status (Constitution 1962: Article 2). African societies in the pre-colonial era had effective political and socio-economic institutions that were charged with law-making, conflict resolution, resource allocations and social control. Cultural institutions and their leaders are an inextricable part of the identity of Ugandans, from which the people draw a lot of pride and happiness. Therefore, the contribution of the cultural institutions in promoting land rights and justice in all aspects can’t be under estimated.
Despite, cultural leaders being well aware with knowledge regarding the land boundaries in Northern Uganda, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war affected and displaced people from their homes to the Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps. This led to the evolution of land conflicts upon return to homes by the war victims. Family members and neighbors started fighting over land boundaries. These often at times sought help and redress from their cultural leaders.
Cultural leaders are playing great roles in protecting the community and gazette land. Through their awareness-raising and sensitization of members of the community, their work is being instrumental in the protection of land from land grabbers.
As reported by the TIMBY Correspondent in Nwoya district in the report of Chairperson Land Board, the land belongs to the community, not to only one person, this was noted by the cultural leaders and the local leaders in Nwoya district.
The cultural leaders together with the Area Land Committee are supporting members of the community to get land title/Certificate of Customary land Ownership (CCO) that helped settle the dispute within the family and with the neighbors. Through the CCOs, many families are having ownership of their land.
The CCO brought an end to land conflicts in the community over land boundaries.
The cultural leaders are working closely with the Local Government officials to address issues of land conflicts in the West Nile sub-region. In a report shared, it appreciates the contribution of the cultural leaders in West Nile sub-region is settling land disputes and grievances.
Challenges facing cultural institutions in Uganda
However, despite the robust nature of cultural institutions in promoting land rights, factors like the adoption of modern government operations, rise in religious fanaticism, conduct unacceptable to traditional/cultural obligations, succession crises, non-inclusion of history, social, and cultural studies in the formal education system threaten their continued existence and handling of conflicts in the farming communities.
With the enormous contribution of the cultural institutions, small-scale farmers recommend the following;
1. We call upon the government to restore and strengthen the cultural institutions in Uganda considering their great roles in peace building in communities.
2. Collect and use evidence to assess the needs of the cultural sector and of the audience to contribute to community development.
3. Invest in strengthening the capacity of the cultural institutions to support state institutions in handling the cases of land injustices and environmental abuse in the farming communities.
4. Government should simplify, translate and make the laws and policies accessible to cultural institutions and the affected communities.
Primary Source
Chairperson land bord
The cultural leaders and the Chairperson Land Board Nwoya is saying that community land belongs to the people not to one person who is saying that it is his or him. They blamed land grabbers from denying the local community the opportunities to use land that belongs to the people.
The Cultural leaders composed of Rwot Kweri condemned the act of taking land forcefully from people and called for the protection of land belonging to the community and the gazetted places.
The cultural leaders and the Chairperson Land Board Nwoya is saying that community land belongs to the people not to one person who is saying that it is his or him. They blamed land grabbers from denying the local community the opportunities to use land that belongs to the people.
The Cultural leaders composed of Rwot Kweri condemned the act of taking land forcefully from people and called for the protection of land belonging to the community and the gazetted places.
Cherperson land bord nwoya
Primary Source
Widows fight over land
After Mr. Albert Otira’s death in October 2020 in Athuma sub-county – Zombo district, his wives started having conflicts over the deceased land since he did not distribute the land to his children and women.
The first wife who gave birth to boys only has stopped the second wife who gave birth to only girls from using any of the deceased land claiming her co-wife does not have any rights to use the land.
Mr. Wabineno Savior who is the elder son reported this case to the sub-county since it was affecting the family and bringing disunity and hatred. Hearing of the case was done by the sub-county Court Chaired by the CDO.
The case was referred to the elders to handle and to ensure proper distribution of the deceased land.
After Mr. Albert Otira’s death in October 2020 in Athuma sub-county – Zombo district, his wives started having conflicts over the deceased land since he did not distribute the land to his children and women.
The first wife who gave birth to boys only has stopped the second wife who gave birth to only girls from using any of the deceased land claiming her co-wife does not have any rights to use the land.
Mr. Wabineno Savior who is the elder son reported this case to the sub-county since it was affecting the family and bringing disunity and hatred. Hearing of the case was done by the sub-county Court Chaired by the CDO.
The case was referred to the elders to handle and to ensure proper distribution of the deceased land.
Primary Source
Land inspection
After several years of land wrangles on the issue of land boundary, Omona Michael went to Rwot Kweri and the case was settled. Rwot Kweri then advised Omona and other members of the community to register their land and get land titles or certificates.
Omona as advised by Rwot Kweri went to the sub-county and through the support of the Area Land Committee, he was able to call for a meeting for land inspection and sketch making for assuring customary land title certificate members. The meeting was attended by Area Land Committee, Rwotkweri, Area L.C 1 and neighbors.
“I really appreciate Rwot Kweri and other people who came in and supported me and my family. Right now I feel so relieved cause of the land certificate that I have. No one can now take away our land” Mr. Omona said
The CCO brought an end to land conflicts in the community over land boundaries.
After several years of land wrangles on the issue of land boundary, Omona Michael went to Rwot Kweri and the case was settled. Rwot Kweri then advised Omona and other members of the community to register their land and get land titles or certificates.
Omona as advised by Rwot Kweri went to the sub-county and through the support of the Area Land Committee, he was able to call for a meeting for land inspection and sketch making for assuring customary land title certificate members. The meeting was attended by Area Land Committee, Rwotkweri, Area L.C 1 and neighbors.
“I really appreciate Rwot Kweri and other people who came in and supported me and my family. Right now I feel so relieved cause of the land certificate that I have. No one can now take away our land” Mr. Omona said
The CCO brought an end to land conflicts in the community over land boundaries.
Land inspection
Primary Source
Land conflict over customary land
Ever since 2013, a customary land belonging to the Boro pa dara clan have been having serious land conflicts. One of the clan members by the name of Mogi Moses reported 6 of his brothers namely Okullo Ogida, Lagwok Owili, Akena David, Odong Ayiri, Otede Micheal and Otim Richard to Kuni hira Company Advocates of intruding in the 30 hectares of land that was given to him by his grandfather.
Mr. Mogi Moses stopped his brothers from using the land to feed their families yet the land used to feed over 30 people. Mr. Mogi brought the land lawyers and surveyors to measure and gazette the land. He later brought the tractor to clear the land violating the rights of his brothers that has been using the land.
The case was reported to the LC3 Chairperson by the brothers who convened a meeting on 5th April 2022 to hear the case. The local leaders, clan members and the family members turned up for the meeting but unfortunately Mr. Mogi Moses defied the orders of the leaders and failed to turn up for the meeting. The leaders and clan heads advised the 6 people not to use the land until when the case is cleared since Mogi had reported the case to lawyers.
The brothers are left with no land to cultivate to take care of their ever growing families.
In the presence of the local leaders and community members, the parents divided the land to all their children as guided by the cultural leaders on 5th April 2022. There was peace and happiness in the family after the intervention of the cultural leaders that led to the peaceful distribution of land.
Ever since 2013, a customary land belonging to the Boro pa dara clan have been having serious land conflicts. One of the clan members by the name of Mogi Moses reported 6 of his brothers namely Okullo Ogida, Lagwok Owili, Akena David, Odong Ayiri, Otede Micheal and Otim Richard to Kuni hira Company Advocates of intruding in the 30 hectares of land that was given to him by his grandfather.
Mr. Mogi Moses stopped his brothers from using the land to feed their families yet the land used to feed over 30 people. Mr. Mogi brought the land lawyers and surveyors to measure and gazette the land. He later brought the tractor to clear the land violating the rights of his brothers that has been using the land.
The case was reported to the LC3 Chairperson by the brothers who convened a meeting on 5th April 2022 to hear the case. The local leaders, clan members and the family members turned up for the meeting but unfortunately Mr. Mogi Moses defied the orders of the leaders and failed to turn up for the meeting. The leaders and clan heads advised the 6 people not to use the land until when the case is cleared since Mogi had reported the case to lawyers.
The brothers are left with no land to cultivate to take care of their ever growing families.
In the presence of the local leaders and community members, the parents divided the land to all their children as guided by the cultural leaders on 5th April 2022. There was peace and happiness in the family after the intervention of the cultural leaders that led to the peaceful distribution of land.
Cherperson land bord nwoya 
Land conflict 
Land conflict