Challenges in the Development of the Uganda National Land Policy

ABSTRACT 

There have been a number of attempts to address the land question in Uganda in the recent past, but all these attempts have not satisfactory addressed the problem. The study on challenges in the development of the Uganda National Land Policy aimed at finding out the process of Uganda national land policy development; examining the role of stakeholders in the development of the national land policy and investigating the challenges encountered by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in the development of the national land policy. To achieve the objectives of the study, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. Two districts were selected purposively from the four regions of Uganda. Respondents included the district political leaders; district technical staff; members of private sector organisations, civil society organisations, profession associations, members of the National Land Policy Working Group and members of the public. The study was descriptive in nature and data was analysed using the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS). The findings of the study indicate that the development of Uganda National Land Policy is a long process which, started with identification of factors contributing to poor performance of the land sector and the process is now at the fourth stage where stakeholders have been consulted country wide and this will be followed by the national land conference where consensus will be built on policy options. The major roles of stakeholders include, for the central government it provides efficient institutions for land management, while civil society organisations and the private sector influence the policy process and ensure transparency through informal personal networks whereas donors support debate and sharing of experiences on land issues and land policy. The challenges encountered by the Ministry in the development of the policy include colonial legacy, cultural practices and poor governance. Others are inadequate funding for extensive stakeholder consultations, identification of stakeholders, balancing people’s views and an inadequate feed back from stakeholders. It was recommended that public institutions build capacity for their civil servants in policy development, source fr appropriate funds to sustain the policy development process and develop a communication strategy to manage the feedback mechanism. Finally a study on challenges faced by the public sector institutions in policy implementation was suggested.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

LIST OF ACRONYMS vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES x

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF EQUATIONS xii

ABSTRACT xiii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Overview 1

1.2 Background of the Study

1.3 Statement of the Problem 4

1.4 Purpose of the Study 5

1.5 Objectives of the study 5

1.6 Research Questions 5

1.7 Scope of the Study 5

1.8 Significance of the Study 6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

2.1 Introduction 7

2.2 Conceptual framework 7

2.3 Process of Land Policy Development 9

2.4 Role of Stakeholders in Policy Development 15

2.4.1 The role of central and local government 17

2.4.2 The role of private sector, civil society groups and local communities 18

2.4.3 The role of donors 20

2.5 Challenges encountered in the development of Land Policy 21

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLODY 27

3.1 Introduction 27

3.2 Research design 27

3.3 Population of the study 27

3.4 Sampling techniques and sample size 27

3.5 Data collection instruments, their validity and reliability 28

3.6 Process followed in conducting the study 30

3.7 Data Analysis 31

3.8 Ethical consideration 32

3.9 Limitations of the Study 32

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS 33

4.1 Introduction 33

4.2 Key principles in the Uganda National Land Policy (UNLP) Development process 33

4.3 Process of Uganda National Land Policy Development 34

4.4 The Role of Different Stakeholders in the National Land Policy Development 35

4.4.1 The Role of Central and Local Governments 36

4.4.2 The Role of Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations in the UNLP development process 37

4.4.3 The Role of Development Partners in the UNLP development process 38

4.5 Challenges Encountered by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in the Development of UNLP 40

4.5.1 Effects of Colonial Legacy 40

4.5.2 Characteristics of colonial legacy 41

4.5.3 Cultural Practices .42

4.5.4 Characteristics of Uganda Government in regard to UNLP development 42

4.5.5 Barriers to the development of UNLP 43

CHAPTER FIVE 45

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45

5.1 Introduction 45

5.2 Discussions of Findings 45

5.2.1 Key principles in the National Land Policy development 46

5.2.2 Process of Uganda National Land Policy Development 47

5.2.3 The Role of Stakeholders in the development process of TJNLP 49

5.2.4 Challenges Encountered by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in the Development of UNLP 52

5.3 Conclusions 56

5.4 Recommendations 57

5.5 Areas for Further Research 58

REFERENCES 59

Appendices 62

Appendix A: Introduction Letter 62

Appendix B: Questionnaire 63

Appendix C: Interview Schedule.~ 71