Land conflicts in parts of Karamoja and Teso are escalating into violence, illegal evictions and boundary disputes, prompting security agencies to deploy joint teams to hotspots in an effort to prevent further clashes. The conflicts have been reported in Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong districts, with the latest incident involving the violent eviction of members of a community from disputed land.
According to security authorities, on September 17 and 19, 2026, members of a community who had settled in the disputed area were violently chased away by a group of suspected criminals allegedly led by the LC3 Chairperson of Morulem Town Council. The developments have raised concern among regional security leaders, who say land disputes are increasingly threatening peace, security and socio-economic development in the two sub-regions.
The Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Brig Gen Michael Hyeroba Wakala, issued the warning during a joint regional security meeting at the 403 Brigade Headquarters in Matany, Napak District, where security leaders reviewed the persistent land conflicts. Brig Gen Hyeroba said the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) would not tolerate violence, incitement or illegal occupation arising from land wrangles.
“Land conflicts are now a major security threat. I direct all commanders under 3 Division to take firm action against anyone who takes the law into their own hands. No community has the 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 Hyeroba said.
He said disputes involving gazetted land, communal grazing corridors and inter-district boundaries had been exploited to fuel violence. Hyeroba tasked the joint security committee with conducting a comprehensive verification of gazetted land ownership and submitting recommendations to the government.
“This committee must address the historical and administrative gaps. We need to know what is gazetted, what is communal, and what belongs to the local government. Without clarity, criminals will continue to hide behind land conflicts,” he said. Napak Resident District Commissioner Milton Odongo said security agencies had resolved to move from dialogue to direct intervention in the affected areas.
“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,” Odongo said.
He said land conflicts had outgrown local council mechanisms and now required a coordinated multi-agency response. “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.
Odongo added that he would engage the Minister for Karamoja Affairs to involve the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Local Government in developing a lasting policy solution. The Abim Deputy RDC, Gilbert Okwir, called for unity among communities in Abim, Napak and Kapelebyong. “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,” Okwir said.
He commended the UPDF, Uganda Police Force and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) for joint operations that have helped curb cattle raids, which had contributed to tensions over land. The Deputy Commander of the 5 Infantry Division, Col Gai Fraser Mpadwa, urged field commanders to strengthen intelligence sharing and community engagement to prevent land disputes from escalating.
On September 30, 2026, the Commandant of ASTU and a joint security team led by the 3 Division Commander visited the disputed land in Arengepua, along the Napak-Abim boundary. The security team advised the affected community to stay off the disputed land until the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development resolve the administrative boundary questions. The community agreed to comply with the guidance as they await a boundary opening and harmonisation exercise-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
