Chairperson LC V inspecting a newly constructed VIP latrine sponsored by World Vision

Bundibugyo District LCV Chairperson Hon. Robert Tibakunirwa addresses                                

stakeholders during a meeting aimed at harmonising land ownership issues                              

between schools, churches and the district.                                                                     

 Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner Rtd. Col. Muga Bw’re Johnes addresses stakeholders during the engagement on securing land agreements and titles for schools     and government institutions.

Stakeholders follow proceedings during a meeting on school and church land ownership held at the former Bundibugyo Primary Teachers’ College.

Schools and government institutions in Bundibugyo District have been urged to secure land agreements and titles to protect their land from encroachment and future ownership disputes.

The call was made by the Bundibugyo Chief Administrative Officer, Paul Walakira, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at the former Bundibugyo Primary Teachers’ College.

Walakira told headteachers of primary and secondary schools to ensure their institutions have proper documentation showing ownership of the land on which they operate.

He warned that the district will not allow development projects to be implemented on school land without proof of ownership.

Walakira said no government development project should be undertaken on school land unless there is a valid land agreement or title in the name of the school, sub-county or district.

He also warned that the office of the Chief Administrative Officer would not endorse land documents with its official signature and stamp unless there is a supporting council minute.

The Resident District Commissioner, Rtd. Col. Johnes mugabirwe, urged schools managed by faith-based organisations to have separate land titles or agreements from those belonging to the churches that founded them.

He said this would prevent conflicts whenever government wants to implement development projects at the schools.

Mugabirwe cited the RDC’s office block, which is currently located on land belonging to Bundibugyo District Local Government, saying further development at the site could not proceed until the land is transferred to State House.

Meanwhile, the Bundibugyo District LC5 Chairperson, Robert Tibakunirwa, who chaired the meeting, said the engagement was organised to promote an inclusive and participatory approach involving church and school leaders in resolving land ownership issues.

Tibakunirwa said he was concerned by reports that some churches were leasing out land, including land occupied by schools, without informing the district leadership.

He said the LC5 chairperson has a responsibility to protect government property and urged school administrators to establish the history and ownership of their school land.

Tibakunirwa also said government policy requires schools to provide proof of land ownership before government investments can be made on their land.

The meeting, which brought together district officials, school administrators and church representatives, resolved to strengthen documentation and demarcation of school land to prevent future disputes.

Among the resolutions was that where communities donated land to establish a school and a church later became the foundation body, the church should retain its own land but leave the portion originally donated by the community for the school.

The meeting also resolved that churches should retain land they own or acquired separately, while land bought by schools should remain under the ownership of the schools.

Where a school has no land agreement but is operating on church land, the school management committee and Parents and Teachers Association were tasked with writing to the Physical Planner to request the church to set aside a portion of land for the school before the church obtains a title.

School administrators were also urged to keep proper records showing how their institutions acquired land, establish clear boundaries and ensure proper demarcation to protect school land from land grabbers.

The stakeholders agreed that proper documentation of school and government land would help prevent conflicts between schools, churches and communities and protect public investments in the district.