October 2008 - With the transition to peace currently movingforward in northern Uganda, internally displaced persons (IDPs) are leaving camps and returning to their homes. And many ofthe returnees, some of whom have spent two decades in camps, would like to return to the land they left.
The returns are leading to localized, sometimes violent, conflicts over land boundaries and ownership. The responsibility to intervene and keep the peace when these conflicts arise falls to local government, which must address thedisagreements over land rights as well as the needs of returning IDPs.
As part of its effort to assist government at all levels in Uganda,USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) provided support to the Gulu District government as it spearheaded a NoViolence on Land campaign in 11 of the district's sub-counties.
As part of the campaign, the district government, local governments, police, and the Acholi cultural institution Ker Kwaro formed an outreach team to meet with communities and groups that had returned. During the meetings, local governmentrepresentatives declared their continued commitment to address community concerns regarding land rights.
Attendees were pleased to have direct contact with local governmentofficials, as theywere able to provide prompt responses to questions about land and property issues that arose during the outreach meetings. The sessions also provided residents and returnees with insight on how to approach property issues through legal channels.
The community outreach activities were complemented by aradio campaign that broadcast information on land ownership rights and on how to resolve land-related conflicts. Overall, the activities showed the returning population that local government is committed to addressing issues critical to establishing permanent peace in northern Uganda.
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