SOCIAL EMBEDDEDNESS OF LAND A Case Study of Intra-familial Land Disputes in Mbarara District, Uganda By Imke Greven and Eva Legemate December 2012 MSc International Development Studies Wageningen University and Research Centre Disaster Studies Group Supervisors: Gemma van der Haar and Mathijs van Leeuwen SOCIAL EMBEDDEDNESS OF LAND A case study of intra-familial land disputes in Mbarara district, Uganda December, 2012 Imke Greven Student ID: 890807277100 International Development Studies – Development Economics MSc Minor Thesis Eva Legemate Student ID: 860818510110 International Development Studies – Disaster Studies Chair Group MSc Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Ir. Gemma van der Haar (Disaster Studies Group – Wageningen University) Dr. Mathijs van Leeuwen (Social & Cultural Psychology – Radboud University Nijmegen) Thesis code: RDS-80733 2 Abstract This thesis present a case study of intra-familial land disputes in Mbarara district, Uganda. Land disputes within families take place within parent-child relations, marital relations and generational relationships. Land disputes form a threat to tenure security in Uganda. It appears that many of these disputes occur within families. These disputes do not only represent a struggle about resources, they are also a struggle about issues regarding control, authority and decision-making regarding access to land within families. Intra-familial land disputes have severe consequences for community stability and agricultural productivity. This research is based upon a three-months research in Kagongi sub-county, Bugamba sub-county, Rubaya sub- county and Mbarara municipality. For this research we made use of several research methods as observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. The aim of this research is twofold. One, to gain insight on intra-familial land disputes and pathways to resolution. Second, to contribute to the debate on land disputes within families and come up with practical recommendations and strategies. This research is based upon previous research by Van Leeuwen (2012) in cooperation with MBADIFA, Mbarara District Farmers’ Association. Keywords: Uganda, Mbarara district, land disputes, intra-familial relationships, dispute resolution. 3 Preface and Acknowledgement As part of our MSc International Development Studies we had the chance to do our own field research on a topic of our interest. When a possibility came by in January 2012 for a research in Mbarara district, Uganda on intra-familial land disputes we both eagerly applied. For this research, the WUR and the Mbarara District Farmer’s Association (MBADIFA) asked for a student with experience in conducting fieldwork in Africa and with knowledge of land tenure issues or local dispute mediation. This was the perfect combination for both Imke and Eva. We found love on the African continent and the topic of land disputes within families is a combination of both our specializations: development of sociology and development economics. From May to December 2012 we went through a process of gathering data in the field, analysing our data and writing a thesis. The research collaboration between the two of us has grown to a friendship that will last. Looking back on our time in Uganda and the writing process, we must say that we are proud of our achievements. We want to show our gratitude to our friends in Uganda. First of all, thanks to all the staff members of MBADIFA. A special thanks to Caroline, Baseeta and Moses. Caroline, we will never forget your warm welcome on the first day we arrived. Baseeta, thank you for an introduction to the field and trainings by MBADIFA. Moses, thank you for your supervision, guidance and contributions to this research. We loved spending time with all of you, also outside the office. Second, we are so grateful for our host families in Nyaruhandagazi, Ruhunga and Kagongi. A special thanks to our host family in Kakoba. Joseph, Clare, Jovin, June and Kush Kush, we learned many Ugandan customs and cultural aspects from all of you. Eating roasted pork with Clare, drinking wine with Joseph, playing with Jovin and Dutchy (the puppy), celebrating June’s birthday and Kushi who was always smiling or crying. We will never forget your kindness. Furthermore, we would like to thank our interpreters: Agatha Karungi and Matasia Kwesiga. We had some good times in the field. To all our friends in Mbarara district: Mukama akuwe omukisa, mwebare munonga! At the WUR gratitude goes out to our supervisors – Gemma van der Haar and Mathijs van Leeuwen – who kept being positive in times of difficulties and change of plans. Gemma, thanks for bringing this project for the both of us to a good end. Mathijs, thanks again for the Skype session in the field. 4 And last, but not least, we would like to thank our families, lovers and friends in the Netherlands for their encouragements and endless support on our way to a new and prosperous future. Enjoy reading this thesis and remember a Nigerian Chief said once: “Land belongs to the vast family of whom many are dead, few are living, and countless members are still unborn” – Lawrence, 1966 in Batungi, 2008. Wageningen & Utrecht, December 2012 5 List of Acronyms and Figures MBADIFA – Mbarara District Farmers’ Association GoU – Government of Uganda LCs – Local Councils UNLP – Uganda National Land Policy JLOS – Justice, Law and Order Sector Mzee / Wazee – wise, old men within a village or community according Ugandan culture Figures front page – 4 photos taken during fieldwork in Mbarara and surroundings Figure 1 – a map of Uganda Figure 2 – Mbarara district in the south-west of Uganda Figure 3 – a map of the public hearing Figure 4 – table with the different tenure systems of Uganda Figure 5 – Mbarara district with our three research fields: Kagongi, Rubaya and Bugamba. Figure 6 – photo: the researchers in a shop in Nyaruhandagazi trading centre while conducting an interview Figure 7 – photo: our “pool-table approach” Figure 8 – photo: interviewing several members of one family Figure 9 – land tenure systems of Uganda Note: All photos are from the authors. Names of the persons who participated in this research are fictitious in order to protect the persons involved and to do no harm in their way forward to resolve land disputes within families. 6 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Preface and Acknowledgement .............................................................................................................. 4 List of Acronyms and Figures ................................................................................................................... 6 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 7 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 10 1.1 Setting the scene ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.1 Uganda’s history and culture in a nutshell ........................................................................... 12 1.1.2 Mbarara district “The land of milk and honey” .................................................................... 15 1.1.3 Land tenure systems in Uganda ........................................................................................... 16 1.2 The case study ............................................................................................................................. 17 1.3 Thesis overview ........................................................................................................................... 23 2 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................................. 25 2.1 Intra-familial land disputes .......................................................................................................... 25 2.2 Property relations ........................................................................................................................ 26 2.3 Access .......................................................................................................................................... 28 2.4 Legal pluralism and land governance .......................................................................................... 30 2.5 Dispute resolution ....................................................................................................................... 34 2.6 In sum .......................................................................................................................................... 35 3 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 36 3.1 Our “field” ................................................................................................................................... 36 3.2 Research design ........................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.1 Problem statement ............................................................................................................... 40 3.2.2 Research objectives .............................................................................................................