The 4th Land Camp 2025, organized by ESAFF Uganda at Logiri Subcounty, Arua District, brought smiles to residents, who expressed optimism that, having been equipped with knowledge on how to acquire Certificates of Customary Ownership (CCOs), land disputes would soon become a thing of the past.
The camp was successfully organized through the Land Rights Support Centre (LRSC), with support from Oxfam in Uganda and in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The two-day initiative, which also involved partnerships with Arua Regional Blood Bank, ActionAid in Uganda, and TASO/AIC, aimed to address land conflicts, raise awareness on land rights, and strengthen the community’s capacity to secure customary land.
Since 2011, Land Camps have served as mobile community legal platforms, bringing land justice closer to citizens. Through community dialogues, radio talk shows, legal aid clinics, and awareness campaigns, the camps have strengthened land governance structures, supported women and youth to secure land documents, and amplified citizen voices in policy processes.
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During the camp, Mr. Dennis Obbo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands, emphasized the critical importance of registering customary land. “Registration of customary land is Godly and constitutional. If you do not register your land, neither God nor the government officially recognizes you. In this initiative, we also aim to empower women, persons with disabilities, and youth. Customary land is inclusive, and we want to ensure that everyone is recognized as part of the family, with their names on the titles, CCOs, thereby protecting everyone’s land rights,” Mr. Obbo said.
He explained that customary land, which accounts for 70% of land in Uganda, can be registered individually, as a family, or communally. The process is straightforward: residents pick up Land Form One from the subcounty, fill it, and submit it to the Area Land Committee (ALC), which verifies boundaries, coordinates, and ownership before forwarding documents to the District Land Board for approval. Once completed, the government officially recognizes the landowner through a Certificate of Customary Ownership (CCO), providing legal protection and clarity over boundaries.
Reducing Conflicts through Documentation
Ms. Esther Kisembo, Program Coordinator at ActionAid Uganda, highlighted the broader importance of proper land documentation.“It is very important to register our land using the different tenures available. That is why ESAFF Uganda and the Ministry of Lands are emphasizing registration, especially the issuance of CCOs. This documentation will protect your land, and even when you are long gone, those who remain behind will be able to present it as proof of ownership,” Ms. Kisembo explained.
She emphasized that secure land documentation helps prevent disputes, fosters peaceful coexistence, and safeguards land rights for future generations, particularly women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Mr. Odama JohnBosco, Chairperson LCIII Logiri Subcounty, urged residents to register their land without delay, linking land security to broader economic benefits:“You will find that when your land is secure, you will have no problems with your neighbors. You will be able to spend your time working in your garden without conflicts. When you own something, you use it with confidence and courage, engaging in any economic activities you choose, thereby improving and beautifying the livelihoods of people,” Mr. Odama stated.
Legal Aid Clinics and Community Services
The Land Camp provided pro bono legal services through dedicated clinics in partnership with FIDA Uganda, offering guidance on dispute resolution, mediation, and customary land registration. Participants received forms, charts, and practical advice for navigating conflicts peacefully and completing registration.
Beyond legal services, the camp integrated community wellbeing initiatives, including HIV testing and counseling in collaboration with TASO/AIC, blood donation drives through the Arua Blood Bank, and psychosocial support offered by ActionAid Uganda’s Women’s Shelters. These complementary services emphasized the connection between land rights and holistic community wellbeing.
Awareness and Participation
Throughout the event, ESAFF Uganda facilitated interactive sessions, community dialogues, and radio talk show segments, ensuring that participants understood their rights, registration procedures, and the importance of CCOs. Residents were encouraged to involve neighbors, elders, and women in the registration process to ensure transparency and community cohesion.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Stella Rose Akutui, ESAFF Uganda’s Policy and Research Officer, urged participants to continue spreading knowledge in their communities: “Your participation has made this camp meaningful. We will continue working with you to ensure land justice for all.”
The 4th Land Camp demonstrated a holistic approach to land governance, combining legal empowerment, capacity building, and social services to ensure that customary land ownership translates into security, peace, and economic empowerment for communities.
