Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-13 09:28:02
Land governance challenges in the West Nile region have been a long-standing issue, affecting the local communities in Erusi Sub County, Nebbi District. Despite the region’s fertile land and agricultural potential, residents face various issues such as land tenure insecurity, land grabbing, gender disparities in land ownership, limited access to justice, and inadequate information on land management practices.
To address these challenges, the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda organized a two-day land rights camp in the region. The camp focused on raising awareness about responsible land governance, women’s land rights, and sustainable development. It aimed to facilitate discussions on best practices for sustainable land management and responsible agriculture investment protocols.
During the camp, Mr. Hakim Baliraine, the national board chairperson for ESAFF Uganda, emphasized the importance of promoting food security and responsible land governance. He highlighted the need to build the capacity of farmers on land rights issues and promote community engagement in land management. The camp also aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments, farmers’ organizations, and community leaders, to address land-related challenges and promote equitable access to land resources.
Mr. Ronald Bagaga, the research and policy analyst at ESAFF, led the Land Rights Camp team and highlighted the importance of providing legal assistance to local communities. He emphasized the need for lawyers to educate residents about their land rights and provide access to legal aid through organizations like FIDA.
Despite efforts by ESAFF Uganda and Oxfam in Uganda to support small-scale farmers, especially women, in securing their land rights since 2011, land rights challenges still persist in the region. Family disputes often contribute to these challenges, with widows facing accusations of witchcraft and eviction from their land by in-laws.
The Nebbi Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Robert Abak, acknowledged the prevalence of land issues stemming from family disputes in the region. He highlighted the role of mediation in resolving these cases and ensuring that individuals have secure access to their land.
Apart from West Nile, ESAFF, in collaboration with partners like OXFAM, continues to organize land rights camps in different regions across Uganda. These camps aim to educate local communities about their constitutional rights to secure land and promote sustainable land governance practices.
Overall, the land rights camp in Erusi Sub County served as a platform to empower residents with knowledge about their land rights, promote responsible land governance, and address the various challenges affecting land tenure security in the region. Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, steps are being taken to ensure equitable access to land resources and legal assistance for residents in need.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
