Changes and Continuities of Land Conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research adopted a cross sectional and descriptive survey research designs which involving both qualitative and quantitative studies where both purposive and stratified random sampling methods were used in selecting respondents (Police land desk officers, district land board for purposive) and stratified sampling for community/victims of land conflict. Sample of 385 respondents was used whereas SPSS was used for data analysis. Findings: From the field findings, it was found out that 23.90% of respondents from Mukono and Wakiso district a number of land conflicts have successfully been resolved by Police land desks as one of the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. After analysis from the field, it was found out that 30.65% that police land desks when resolving land disputes they hear cases to give advice and opinion which was an indicator of changes and continuities of land conflicts taking place in both districts. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings would offer different experiences of the land desks both in Uganda police and elsewhere in the world and validate the need for long-term processes to address some of the critical barriers to achieving justice especially women, children among others trying to enforce their land rights, as opposed to short-term projects or work on individual cases. To governments of Uganda and others, these findings would offer ideal situations to share experiences and advocate collectively for equity in access to land, use and distribution among beneficiaries.