Ongoing land conflicts in Northern Uganda are a major constraint to growth of people, families and economic development in the region. It is with this background that the University of the Sacred Heart Gulu, Department of Catechetical and Pastoral Ministry has partnered with the Lands Office of the Archdiocese of Gulu to train and empower catechists in-training on land laws, rights and best practices.

Speaking at the training, Mr. Conny Ouma, a senior lands expert and Lands Officer for the Archdiocese of Gulu stressed the importance of land and its contribution to the economic development of any country. Our students were taught the various laws and statutory instruments that govern land acquisition and administration in Uganda. Mr. Ouma implored the students to be keen when handling land transactions and to use this knowledge to contribute to the prevention and resolution of land disputes in their respective communities. Several land disputes are currently ongoing in many communities in Uganda hence inhibiting peaceful co-existence and productivity.

As pastoral agents in these communities, the University of the Sacred Heart Gulu and the Land Office of the Archdiocese of Gulu seek to train, empower and position catechists as resourceful persons who shall be points of information and contributors to the peaceful resolution of land disputes.