The problem of land grabbing in Uganda has been going on for some years now
Editorial
Stop land grabbing before it’s too late
For most Ugandans, the processes that government uses to acquire land for investment are not clearly understood. The land valuation processes, the purchase price and related transactions are never clear, leaving the majority of the occupants vulnerable.
Early this week media reports indicated that a group of more than 100 families in the eastern Uganda town of Bunambutye in Bulambuli District remain homeless after a land dispute that a government investigation conducted in 2010 concluded that the disagreement was created by corrupt officials swindling peasants of their land before selling it off.
This is not an isolated case - the problem of land grabbing in Uganda has been going on for some years now. Evictions and land grabbing have been reported in Buliisa, Amuru and Nwoya districts, among others. Related incidents have also happened on Mount Elgon Forest Reserve, the Bukaleba Forest evictions, and the attempted grabbing of Mabira forest.
For a developing country like Uganda, there is a legitimate argument for the government to assist investors in acquiring land, but the challenge revolves around the dubious dealings related to land acquisition. A number of top government officials and other powerful individuals have been named in these dubious land acquisition activities.
For most Ugandans, the processes that government uses to acquire land for investment are not clearly understood. The land valuation processes, the purchase price and related transactions are never clear, leaving the majority of the occupants vulnerable.
There is urgent need for the Uganda Land Commission and the Uganda Investment Authority to define clearly and effectively communicate land acquisition procedures. But this can only happen if it is done in a transparent manner.
There have also been complaints of political meddling and lack of professionalism by ULC and UIA on land acquisition matters.
It would serve these bodies well to appreciate that they owe it to Ugandans to pursue a far-sighted and progressive approach in the execution of their duties, instead of the shady and selfish interests that are often pursued by those who have no regard for proper processes and human rights.
The government and law enforcement agencies should guarantee the rights of vulnerable people. If not addressed, failure to establish and effectively communicate proper land acquisition standards is likely to spiral into grave socio-economic and political problems in the foreseeable future.
