Members of the Lugbara community performing a traditional cultural dance in northern Uganda

Photo credit: Kayiwa Allan Benjamin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

By : Our News Reporter

 Efforts to protect customary and ancestral land from rampant sale and preserve it for future generations are gaining momentum in West Nile following the development of a new land policy by the Lugbar Cultural Institution, Lugbara Kari, in partnership with legislators from Lugbara-speaking communities.

The policy is aimed at sensitising the Lugbara community about the long-term dangers of selling inherited land and encouraging families to preserve customary land for future generations.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over land conflicts in the region, with rising land values, rapid urbanisation and population growth prompting some individuals to sell inherited and customary land.

Lugbara Kari officials say the practice has contributed to landlessness, family disputes and an increase in land-related cases before courts.

Although Uganda’s Constitution recognises individual land ownership, cultural leaders say communities must take deliberate measures to safeguard customary and hereditary land so that it remains available to future generations.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Yiki, Speaker of the Lugbara Kari Parliament, says the new policy is intended to create awareness among the Lugbara about the long-term consequences of disposing of ancestral land.

Yiki says Lugbara Kari has also collaborated with Members of Parliament from Lugbara-speaking communities to support people in obtaining customary land titles as part of efforts to strengthen land security.

Meanwhile, Prof. Willy Ngaka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations and Diaspora Affairs of Lugbara Kari, says the cultural institution has started identifying and engaging Lugbara people living outside West Nile.

Ngaka says the outreach is intended to popularise the institution’s values and policies, ensure that Lugbara subjects are adequately informed and promote equal treatment of members of the community.

According to Lugbara Kari officials, efforts are also underway to finalise the gazetting of the cultural institution by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development under Paramount Chief Designate Anzelo Alia Pati of Maracha.

The development follows disagreements within the Ayivu community, where a section of residents rejected their chief, Yuma Manase, who had been expected to be enthroned as Paramount Chief.

Meanwhile, Lugbara Kari has begun popularising its anthem in schools, institutions and public and social gatherings as part of efforts to strengthen cultural identity and promote awareness of the institution.

Officials say the initiative is also intended to strengthen cultural consciousness among young people and affirm the administration and identity of Lugbara Kari across Lugbara-speaking communities.