By Mike Rwothomio 

His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, King of the Alur Kingdom, together with Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, Deputy Prime Minister Prince Vincent Ocaya Orach, Zombo District Local Council V Chairperson Hon. James Oruna Oyullu, security leaders, and local officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, have jointly initiated a formal multi-stakeholder mediation process to address the escalating land eviction crisis in a central forest reserve in Atyak Sub-county, Zombo District.

The intervention follows the recent eviction of residents from Yill Village, Anyola Parish, Atyak Sub-county, by Ministry of Water and Environment officials. 

The leaders have stepped in to de-escalate tensions, facilitate structured dialogue between the affected community and government agencies, and pursue an amicable, rights-based resolution that upholds both peace and environmental justice.

The launch of the mediation efforts drew hundreds of affected persons, an Alur Kingdom delegation led by His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, Zombo District leaders, security personnel, and local Ministry of Water and Environment officials engaged in ecosystem restoration activities in the area.

The Oru East and West Central Forest Reserve, which spans parts of Zombo and Nebbi districts and falls under the Pakwach sector of the West Nile range, is subject to the Ugandan government’s policy opposing permanent settlement in forest reserves. 

This policy aims to protect critical ecosystems, combat climate change, and preserve natural resources held in trust for the public under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act.

The Ministry of Water and Environment requires residents occupying the reserve to vacate in order to prevent permanent settlement. However, authorities have permitted the community to harvest existing crops and to follow lawful procedures to apply for permission to cultivate low-growing crops such as beans, while maintaining the trees being planted as part of ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts.

Speaking during the mediation engagement last week, His Royal Majesty emphasized the importance of peaceful, non-confrontational approaches.

He assured the community that the ongoing mediation initiative would also address issues surrounding education at King Rauni Community School, underscoring a commitment to safeguarding essential social services amid the dispute.

Zombo District LCV Chairperson  James Oruna Oyullu stressed the need to adhere to administrative processes and highlighted the value of synergy among the Ministry of Water and Environment, Zombo District Local Government, security leadership, and Alur Kingdom institutions to ensure the effectiveness of the peaceful process and restoration initiative.

He assured stakeholders that the next round of formal discussions would reconvene within one month, establishing a clear timeline for continued engagement and progress toward resolution.

The mediation framework is designed to reduce the risk of further escalation and violence by providing a neutral platform for all parties to voice concerns. 

It promotes mutual understanding and trust among communities, traditional institutions, and government agencies, while enabling the identification of practical, locally acceptable solutions that balance ecological restoration needs with community rights.

According to Alur Kingdom leadership, the land was donated to the then colonial government in 1949 by the then King of Alur Rwot Jalusiga Rauni,  specifically for an environmental conservation initiative.

Beyond the current Yill case, the Alur Kingdom continues to prioritize mediation and dialogue as primary tools for resolving land disputes and other intra-community conflicts.

Traditional leaders regularly convene clan and community forums, deploy cultural mechanisms of reconciliation, and work to prevent disputes from escalating into open confrontation. 

The Kingdom emphasizes restorative justice, respect for customary land tenure, and the inclusive participation of elders, women, and youth in peacebuilding processes.

In its ongoing partnership with government, the Alur Kingdom has outlined a clear plan to collaborate with central and local institutions, including sustained engagement with the Ministry of Water and Environment, district authorities, and relevant land agencies.

The Kingdom remains committed to joint stakeholder engagements, transparent information sharing, and coordinated implementation of agreed resolutions so that peace, justice, and sustainable development can be advanced together.

According to Kingdom and district leadership, the mediation process is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with all parties urged to remain patient, constructive, and committed to peaceful outcomes.

The Alur Kingdom also plays a vital role in environmental conservation by mobilizing communities for tree planting, partnering with state authorities to protect natural resources, and advocating for women’s active involvement in climate action. 

Under the leadership of His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, the Kingdom collaborates with government on large-scale green campaigns and actively promotes the planting of vegetative buffer zones along rivers such as the River Nyagak and wetlands to safeguard critical water sources from degradation and climate shocks.

Kingdom officials emphasize that women are primary managers of household resources such as firewood and advocate for them to take leading roles in planning and executing local conservation and tree-planting strategies rather than being viewed solely as program beneficiaries.

Uganda’s national forest cover currently stands at approximately 12.4% to 13% of total land area, down from 24% in 1990, according to Ministry of Water and Environment data. 

The Ministry reports that the country loses about 122,000 hectares of forest cover every year due to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning, and biomass extraction. 

Protected Central Forest Reserves span approximately 1.26 million hectares across 506 gazetted areas, managed under the ministry’s framework.

Mike Rwothomio is news Editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub for African news, trends, and updates.