Soroti City East Division Mayor, Paul Omer , has advised incoming councilors to adopt lawful and structured approaches in handling land disputes, as part of efforts to curb the rising number of land-related conflicts in Soroti City .
Omer made the remarks during a budget conference held at the division council hall in Akisim Ward, where he emphasized the critical role of local leaders in ensuring justice and order in land management.
He noted that the Land Act provides clear guidelines for handling land disputes, particularly through Local Council courts, which are mandated to address such matters at the community level.
❝ “The law provides for local council courts to handle land disputes. As leaders, your role is to ensure that cases are handled within the law and referred to the appropriate authorities when necessary.” ❞
— Paul Omer
Omer cautioned councilors against overstepping their jurisdiction, urging them to forward cases beyond their mandate to relevant authorities for proper handling.
He also warned leaders against tolerating unlawful evictions, stressing the importance of protecting the rights of occupants, especially bibanja holders.
❝ “Do not allow anyone to carry out unlawful evictions. If a landlord wants to use the land, they must compensate the bibanja holders according to the prevailing rates.” ❞
— Paul Omer
The mayor further tasked councilors to actively engage communities through legal education, noting that many land conflicts arise from ignorance of land rights and procedures.
❝ “You must educate the people about their land rights. This will help victims understand how to follow administrative and judicial procedures to secure their land claims.” ❞
— Paul Omer
He emphasized that increasing awareness among residents will not only reduce disputes but also empower communities to resolve conflicts peacefully and within the legal framework.
Additionally, Omer cautioned both incoming and outgoing leaders against allowing unauthorized boundary openings by surveyors, warning that such actions often trigger conflicts within communities.
❝ “Allowing surveyors to open boundaries without proper processes can create conflicts in your areas. Leaders must be vigilant and ensure that all procedures are followed.” ❞
— Paul Omer
The guidance comes amid growing concern over land disputes in Soroti City, with authorities seeking to strengthen local leadership capacity to manage conflicts effectively.
Omer expressed confidence that with proper adherence to the law, community sensitization, and responsible leadership, land-related conflicts in Soroti City can be significantly reduced.
