Protecting Ugandan customary land through documentation of principles, practices, rights and responsibilities (“PPRR”)
Liz Neate, Judy Adoko
Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU)
In many rural communities in Uganda, particularly in the north and east, land governance is on a customary basis. This is recognised by the state as having equivalent status to freehold land, but the approach is very different. Customary tenure rules, rights and obligations are held orally, and governed by family and community leadership. This can lead to challenges to customary tenure, where outsiders are not able to understand the principles, or where deliberate attempts are made to put customary tenure at odds with formalised tenures. This has included the spread of misinformation about the principles of customary tenure.
LEMU has so far worked with 8 communities in north and east Uganda, Bunyoro and West Nile regions to draft their land laws into Principles, Practices, Rights and Responsibilities (PPRR) books. These communities had historically seen high incidences of land grabbing and land disputes and sought assistance in finding ways to protect their customs and traditions, as well as gaining recognition and greater legitimacy for their long held practices. Through formally documenting the existing laws and customs, the communities have been given an additional level of respect, including in the courts.
Event: Annual World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty 2019
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