Apac Land Camp Empowers Women Amidst Persistent Family Disputes

Apac District is witnessing a concerted effort to address long-standing land disputes, particularly those affecting women and stemming from customary ownership. A recent two-day land camp, organized by ESAFF Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and the Apac District administration, concluded on August 20, 2026, with the goal of bridging knowledge gaps regarding land tenure and registration procedures.

The initiative comes at a time when family land conflicts remain prevalent. For instance, a dispute in Apoi Sub-county highlights the complex challenges, involving a mother and her sons arguing over inherited customary land. This case, though settled by clan elders, was reignited by one of the sons claiming ownership of his mother’s and brother’s portions.

Such disputes have historically led to significant land-related violence in the district, with some sub-counties reporting up to 20 cases monthly, and sometimes even daily. To combat this, the government has been implementing various land formalization strategies. These include the issuance of Customary Certificates of Land Ownership and the rollout of the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAC) programme.

The ESAFF Uganda land camp specifically targeted vulnerable groups, with a strong focus on empowering women. Many women face challenges in securing land rights due to traditional beliefs linking ownership to marital or paternal status. The camp provided education on land rights and legal aid to help them navigate these complexities.

A key innovation introduced is a “self-financing model” for land registration. This cost-sharing arrangement involves beneficiaries contributing a portion of the registration fees, with the Ministry of Lands covering the rest. This model aims to make land registration more accessible, as individual title processing can be prohibitively expensive.

This initiative is part of a broader five-year project funded by Oxfam, covering five sub-counties in Apac. Organizers emphasize that secure land rights are crucial not only for individual livelihoods but also for promoting climate resilience, enabling farmers to invest in sustainable practices with confidence in their ownership.