Land management in Uganda has almost reached a stalemate. Besides corruption and fraud in the land registries and significantly weak institutions at the district levels, the negligence of the responsible authorities to invest in finding lasting solutions may cause regrettable impacts. Bunyoro is no stranger to the land impasse and its predicament defines or is rather enmeshed into the country’s unpleasant history of land problems since the colonial times. The responsibility of the current land problems can neither be claimed by the colonial master – Britain alone, but also the national government which carries the duty to guide equitable access to land, through adequate institutionalisation and ensuring equity and efficiency. This should have been assumed an accomplished mandate, 47 years since her independence in 1962. However, the current violent land conflicts with tremendous environmental and economic implications can hardly permit the nation’s potential to achieving it commitments to the MDGs, Agenda 21 or the sustainable development principles.
July 25th 2009 woke up to the presidential letter perhaps aimed to finding the solution to the ageold Bunyoro’s land impasse. However, the political and social implications through the context of its wording cause a reason to wonder as to whether it’s premised finding the best options for sustained solutions. By calling for ring-fencing of political positions from the migrants (Bafuruki), among several other astounding recommendations, the resultant social peace and harmony is unpredictable, at least in the near future.
July 25th 2009 woke up to the presidential letter perhaps aimed to finding the solution to the ageold Bunyoro’s land impasse. However, the political and social implications through the context of its wording cause a reason to wonder as to whether it’s premised finding the best options for sustained solutions. By calling for ring-fencing of political positions from the migrants (Bafuruki), among several other astounding recommendations, the resultant social peace and harmony is unpredictable, at least in the near future.
“If the Bafuruki were more nationalistic, why could they not find some persons among the indigenous people and vote for them ... Suppose we were to infuse 100,000 Bafuruki into Acholi or Karamoja, what would be the reaction? If the Acholis and Karamajongs were to react violently, would it mean that they are not Ugandan enough or would it be that the policy was wrong?” H.E: Yoweri K. Museveni (July 25th 2009)
Should this imply that the Banyoro's violent reactions are in pursuit of a right policy? and so should they go on uninterrupted? Labelling the contents and intentions of letter as “sowing the seeds of tribalism” by the leaders of migrant populations in Bunyoro and consequent violence possibly from the local reaction to the developments have not been uncommon. Where property losses and subsquent eviction threats no matter the ownership status soar, the country has entered a new phase.
Dead goats left after a violent land conflict (photo by Gerald Rulekere-www.pulse.com)
Ethnic tensions have so far claimed properties of Bakiga business men (See Daily Monitor Aug. 5th and 12th 2009). The area has been at a verge of such showdowns but only needed simple reason sparks and backing to kick-start. However, Bunyoro has seen bitter situations. Areas like Kibale district were reportedly at the blink of violence targeting the settlers on the grounds of land ownership related wrangles. For example, the president thwarted a planned violent demonstration, as police arrested individuals with pangas, iron bars and other rudimentary tools meant for the demonstration (See The NewVision 5th June 2009).
The solution to the problem is so far scanty and the scale of the problem unimaginable atleast for now. The problem while is fueled by the recent developments, dates back to the Buganda agreement and subsquent irregular land sales by both Banyoro and Baganda Landlords as well as the local council leaders. More to the problem are weak institutional interventions. Simple actions generate big reactions in a tense atmosphere. The allocation of land by the District Land Board in 2003 in Kibaale, soon preceded violent land conflicts and is perceived to have triggered the escalation of the problem, but lasting conflict preventive efforts are vital. Prior to this event, February 2002 witnessed a violent land conflict where migrants’ houses were burnt, as migrants threatened and physically attacked. About 5 people were killed as the army and riot police struggled to halt the violence, and set up roadblocks in different areas. A conflict that stretched to May 2002 was feared to escalate into genocide similar to the 1994 experienced in Rwanda (See Schelnberger 2007).
The solution to the problem is so far scanty and the scale of the problem unimaginable atleast for now. The problem while is fueled by the recent developments, dates back to the Buganda agreement and subsquent irregular land sales by both Banyoro and Baganda Landlords as well as the local council leaders. More to the problem are weak institutional interventions. Simple actions generate big reactions in a tense atmosphere. The allocation of land by the District Land Board in 2003 in Kibaale, soon preceded violent land conflicts and is perceived to have triggered the escalation of the problem, but lasting conflict preventive efforts are vital. Prior to this event, February 2002 witnessed a violent land conflict where migrants’ houses were burnt, as migrants threatened and physically attacked. About 5 people were killed as the army and riot police struggled to halt the violence, and set up roadblocks in different areas. A conflict that stretched to May 2002 was feared to escalate into genocide similar to the 1994 experienced in Rwanda (See Schelnberger 2007).
The impact of the present steps through political statements whether made to solve the problem cannot be under-estimated. Appeasing on ethnic group to the detriment of the others may cause long term unwanted consequences. In the absence of a consolidated land policy, and with crystal legal pluralism where land markets are largely informal, many stakeholders take the advantage of the prevailing gaps. There isn't much to host better expectations. We are yet to see a full-blown spirit of classic resentment between individuals, communities and ethinicities, as well as opinions and interests if they haven't been as clearer. Formal and informal institutions could clash as well, but fodging national unity may require a new approach lest the situation gets out of hand before it gets better.
The police stand guard in Kyangwali-Hoima District due to tensions over contested land rights (Photo -The NewVision Thursday, 13th August, 2009)
Whether with a legal land title or not, migrants carry a label as "rebels who ... invaded the king’s land" that have to be evicted "by force" Kyangwali LC3 chairman quoted in The NewVision 13th Aug. 2009).
While the recent developments cannot be isolated in the broader frame of the problem, it would be fair to attribute the issue to the general stakeholder community. Everyone whose decision can potentially cause, accelerate or fundamentally serve to solve the land problem in Bunyoro carries the duty to ensure harmony, tranquillity and prosperity in the region. Failed efforts affect the country at large, across generations and ethnicities. At least, that Uganda is a one and united country can be demonstrated today before the situation goes out of hand. As of today, Kibaale district leads in both land conflicts and forest cover losses country wide. The future presents disturbing signals. Let us look beyond now and individuals, but be wise and cunning, otherwise, the country is seated on a time bomb – more than treading past the slumbering dragon.
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