September 19, 2025 (Kacheri, Kotido District, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Land Governance Unit and with financial support from the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, has concluded a five-day activity in Kotido District, Uganda. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, with additional support from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The focus was on Kacheri Sub-County and Kacheri Town Council, where IGAD and its partners presented the first draft Physical Development Plans (PDPs). These plans, built on a comprehensive existing situation analysis validated earlier this year, reflected community aspirations for how land will be used over the next 10 years. Leaders and residents across all levels actively participated, providing feedback that will improve the quality of the plans before their final presentation in December 2025.
Speaking at the closing session, H.E. Ichogoro Charles, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kotido, said:
“This process has given the people of Kacheri a voice in shaping the future of their land. For the first time, communities see their priorities reflected in a plan that balances livelihoods, development, and peace. This is a foundation for lasting stability.”
In parallel, district and local level Land Management Institutions including the District Land Board, Physical Planning Committees, Climate Change Committees, and newly established Grievance Redress Committees received training to strengthen their capacity and raise awareness on their roles and responsibilities. Participants gained skills in registering and transferring land interests, mediating disputes, integrating climate change and gender issues into land use planning processes, and coordinating environmental committees for sustainable development. The Grievance Redress Mechanism will ensure that communities have fair and transparent ways to resolve land-related disputes.
Pamela Drate, Principal Physical Planner, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, underscored the value of this work:
“Strengthening the capacity of local land management institutions is paramount. These committees are the backbone of land governance, and their roles are interrelated, making joint training essential. This step advances the coordinated planning and implementation of government programs, including physical development plans, to enhance inclusive, and sustainable development in Kotido.”
The training also emphasized the need for gender responsiveness, and conflict sensitivity in empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups to play an active role in shaping the future of their lands. Once approved, the PDPs will guide land-based development in Kacheri, supporting sustainable resource management, climate resilience, conflict resolution, and long-term investments to boost the much-needed economic transformation.
Reflecting on the mission, Dr. Addis Teshome, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Expert at IGAD’s Agriculture and Environment Division, representing the Head of Mission to Uganda, noted:
“Our role is to bring IGAD closer to the people by supporting member states and communities to co-create sustainable and inclusive solutions to critical land related challenges. In Kotido, we have demonstrated how participatory land use planning can turn challenges into opportunities through building resilience and ensuring equality, and shared growth.”
By working closely with communities and local authorities, IGAD is strengthening institutions, building resilience, and creating a shared vision for sustainable land governance in Kotido and across the Karamoja cluster. The next step will be national stakeholder engagements, where draft plans will be presented to representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),. This dialogue will allow for further input, ensure wider ownership, and enhance joint implementation of government programs in Karamoja at minimal cost.
