Kampala — THE World Vision has earmarked $950,000 (about sh1.5b) for curbing land disputes that have hindered the resettlement of internally displaced people in Acholi sub-region.

According to the coordinator, Jackson Omona, the two-year project on peace building and conflict management would focus on building the capacity of the district land committees and districts leaders to resolve disputes.

"We have given $300,000 to Amuru, $250,000 to Pader and $400,000 to Kitgum district for peace building and conflict management projects," Omona said last Friday.

This was after a two-day consultative meeting for Acholi leaders on the stalled peace process and land disputes at Acholi Inn in Gulu district.

On behalf of the leaders, the Kitgum LC5 chairman, John Komakech, urged the Government to organise a retreat to discuss how to handle land disputes.

He explained that during the meeting, they would also debate on how to allocate land to investors.

"We condemn all kinds of crime and violence associated with land disputes. We appeal to internally displaced people to return to their villages."

They were also concerned that people had encroached on the land that was donated to schools, health centres, churches and sub-county headquarters.

"We challenge district councils and land boards to sensitise their population on land issues. We are committed to using the local structures like elders, traditional leaders and land committees to handle land disputes." The leaders urged the LRA and the Government to continue pursuing the peace deal.