Lira, Uganda | A simmering land dispute in Lira City West Division has escalated into fresh public controversy after a widow accused a clan chief of allegedly grabbing part of her land, a claim the cultural leader strongly denies.
Molly Aceng Ogwang, a widow and mother of two, has accused the Okarowok Wibyeacel Clan Chief, Dr. Laury Lawrence Ocen, of allegedly encroaching on her land in Telela Cell, Omito Ward, and taking about two metres of her property.
While addressing journalists on Monday May 4, 2026, at Pacific Grand Hotel in Lira City, a tearful Aceng said she legally acquired the 34-by-29-metre plot on July 8, 2005, at sh700,000, including costs she says were meant to facilitate access to a road.
She said construction on the land began in 2006 without any dispute, but tensions emerged in 2011 after Dr. Ocen became her neighbour following the purchase of adjacent land.
According to Aceng, the dispute deepened when Okwang Musa, a relative of the original land seller, allegedly placed construction materials on the access road leading to her home. She said the matter was handled at LC1 and LCII levels, where Musa was reportedly instructed to remove the materials.
However, she alleged that the situation later worsened, with Musa allegedly demanding that she vacates the land or accepts a refund, arguing that she had bought it at a “low price.” She further claimed she was later accused of extending into Dr. Ocen’s land.
Aceng also accused the clan chief of using his cultural authority to intimidate her, and alleged that over 100 unidentified people once stormed her home, threatened her, and destroyed trees on her compound.
She appealed to Lira City Woman MP Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Lango Diocese Bishop Emeritus John Charles Odur Kami, and friends of her late husband to intervene and ensure an independent investigation into the matter.
However, Dr. Ocen dismissed the allegations, insisting he has not grabbed any land belonging to Aceng and describing the claims as false and misleading.
He said the dispute was already handled through community mechanisms and advised that any dissatisfied party should seek legal redress in court.
Dr. Ocen further claimed that a community meeting attended by over 150 people found that the widow had instead encroached on his land by about two metres, following measurements conducted in the presence of local leaders and security officials.
He also alleged that the access road in question serves several community members and was voluntarily provided by the original land seller, not forcibly taken from the widow.
Okwang Musa, also speaking by phone, defended the community position, saying the road access was freely given and that no one was targeting the widow, but rather urging cooperation among neighbours.
A source from the Lira City West Division Residebt City Commissioner office confirmed that the matter had previously been resolved amicably on May 1, 2026, though officials said they were not aware of renewed tensions.
Telela Cell LC1 Chairperson Victor Onen noted that while the dispute had been handled at local level, concerns remain over inconsistencies in the original land agreement documents.