Principal Judge Advocates for Judiciary-Parliament Synergy on Land Disputes

Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo is urging for a more robust partnership between the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government, Parliament, to effectively tackle the escalating number of land disputes in Uganda.

During a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Lands, led by Chairperson Edson Rugumayo, Justice Abodo highlighted the critical need for improved land administration and the promotion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

The High Court Land Division is currently facing a significant caseload, with approximately 6,557 pending cases. Lady Justice Jane Alividza, head of the Land Division, disclosed that a substantial portion of these cases, estimated at around 1,600, involve allegations of fraud, including issues like double titling and overlapping land claims.

Justice Abodo emphasized that land disputes are deeply emotive and often serve as the root cause for a wide range of offenses, impacting not only individual livelihoods but also family relationships, business operations, and overall community stability.

“We have different mandates, but we share the same interest that the people, your voters, and the people that we serve as a Judiciary really enjoy their land rights,” Justice Abodo stated, underscoring the shared goal of ensuring fair and swift resolution of land-related conflicts.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Land Division has a case dating back to 1987, illustrating the prolonged nature of some land disputes. Delays are attributed to factors such as numerous interlocutory applications, appeals against interim decisions, complex evidence, multiple parties, and increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

Justice Alividza called for stronger verification processes within land administration and closer cooperation between the Judiciary, Parliament, police, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and other relevant bodies to combat land fraud, particularly involving legal and surveying professionals. The aim of this proposed collaboration is to enhance the handling of land disputes, bolster the integrity of land records, and ensure timely and just outcomes for all parties involved.

Source: Nile Post