Landmark Achievement: Amuru District Secures 103 Customary Land Titles for Guru-Guru Communities

By Mildred Auma
Communications Officer

Amuru District has registered a significant milestone in strengthening land tenure security following the official handover of 103 Certificates of Customary Ownership (CCOs) to rightful landowners in Guru-Guru Sub-county.

The handover ceremony, held at Guru-Guru Health Centre II, brought together district leaders, cultural authorities, technical officers, women farmer groups, and development partners to celebrate progress under the Participatory Customary Land Adjudication and Certification (PACLAC) model.
The activity was implemented by PELUM Uganda in collaboration with ESAFF Uganda, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), Ujamaa/CADASTA, and Amuru District Local Government.

This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security of tenure under customary land, which constitutes the majority of landholding in Northern Uganda. It also aligns with the broader “Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods (RiD)” project, which promotes inclusive, climate-resilient, and gender-responsive food systems.

Prior to the public ceremony, stakeholders conducted a multi-stakeholder review meeting to reflect on the first phase of CCO registration, identifying strengths, addressing bottlenecks, and drawing lessons to improve future processes.

All 103 certificates were scanned and formally entered into the Ministry database to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper record management.

During the ceremony, the District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), John Bosco Opio congratulated beneficiaries on securing formal recognition of their customary land rights. He encouraged landowners to safeguard their land and discouraged the sale of land, advising that leasing for a specified period can be a more sustainable alternative where necessary.

He further urged beneficiaries to embrace tree planting as a practical and sustainable source of income, noting that secure land ownership provides families with the confidence to invest in long-term ventures, including supporting their children’s education and improving household welfare.

Cultural leadership reinforced the message of responsible land stewardship. The clan chief, Otinga Atuka Otto Yai called upon certificate holders and land administrators to promote fairness within families.
He urged them not to deny other family members access to land for farming or use, but instead to encourage equitable sharing to prevent disputes. He emphasized that land is a communal heritage meant to unite families and clans, and that responsible management is key to maintaining harmony and stability in the community.

The event also placed strong emphasis on women’s inclusion in land documentation processes. Organized women farmer groups actively participated in sensitization sessions on the importance of CCOs and women’s land rights.

The successful handover of the 103 CCOs demonstrates effective collaboration between community structures, cultural institutions, district leadership, and national technical bodies. With enhanced tenure security, beneficiaries are now better positioned to invest in sustainable agriculture, improve food security, and build more resilient livelihoods.
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