The commander of the 3rd infantry division, Brig Gen. Michael Hyeroba Wakala, has warned communities in the Karamoja and Teso sub regions against escalating land disputes, saying the conflicts threaten peace, security and social – economic development.
Brig. Gen. Michael made the remarks during a joint regional security meeting at the 403 Brigade Headquarters in Matany, Napak district, where security leaders reviewed persistent land disputes in Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong districts.
He said the Uganda Police Defence Force (UPDF) would not tolerate violence, incitement or illegal occupation arising from land disputes.

Brig. Gen. Michael said:
“Land conflicts are now a major security threat. I direct all commanders under 3rd Division to take firm action against anyone who takes the law into their own hands. No community has a right to evict, attack or destroy the property of another under the guise of land ownership. We shall enforce peace and protect every Ugandan.”

Brig. Gen. Michael tasked the joint security committee with conducting a comprehensive verification of gazetted land and submitting recommendations to the government.

He said:
“This committee must address the historical and the administrative gaps.
We need to know what is gazette, what is communal and what belongs to the local government. Without clarity, criminals will continue to hide behind land conflicts.”

Napak residents district commissioner Milton Odongo called for closer cooperation between security agencies and local leaders, saying isolated interventions had failed to deliver lasting solutions.
Odongo said:
“We are moving from talking to action. We have resolved to deploy joint security teams in all hotspots across the three districts to stop violence, prevent illegal demarcations and protect lives and property. Any local leader who incites communities over land will be held personally accountable.

He said the conflict had out grown local council mechanisms and required a coordinated multi agency response.
He said:
“Land conflict is no longer a mere community disagreement, it is a security matter. We shall not allow it to reverse the peace we have achieved in Karamoja and Teso.”

Odongo said he would engage the Minister of Karamoja Affairs to facilitate the involvement of the ministry of land, Housing and urban Development and the Ministry of the Local Government in developing a lasting policy solution.

The Deputy RDC of Abim District, Gilbert Okwir, called for unity among communities and closer coordination among security agencies.

Okwir said:
“The people of Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong are one. We cannot afford to fight over boundaries. I appeal to all security agencies to speak with one voice and find a lasting solution.”

He also commended the UPDF, Uganda Police Force and Anti- stock theft Unit (ASTU) for joint operations that he said had helped curb cattle raids, which have contributed to tension over land.

The deputy commander of the 5th infantry Division, Col Gai Fraser Mpadwa, urged field commanders to strengthen intelligence sharing and community engagement to prevent land disputes from escalating into violence.

The meeting brought together brigade commanders, ASTU commanders, District internal Security Officer, intelligence officers and Resident district Commissioners from the affected Districts.