Security of tenure as a means of land restoration in Uganda

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OPINION

By Joseph Kayemba

According to the World Bank’s insightful economic update report for 2024, on Uganda, about 80% of Ugandan households depend on renewable natural resources—such as agricultural land, fertile soil, lush forests, and freshwater—for their livelihoods. These sectors, driven by our natural capital, account for over one-quarter of our GDP, underscoring their significance to the nation’s well-being.

The potential for Uganda’s natural resource-dependent sectors, particularly agriculture, to continue thriving within the economy and sustaining the livelihoods of its people hinges on the sustainable availability and management of these invaluable resources.

Regrettably, the management of these resources has faced significant challenges, resulting in rapid depletion that heightens economic vulnerabilities for a population reliant on natural resources.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed an alarming increase in soil nutrient depletion, soil erosion, and deforestation.

The World Bank reveals that 41% of Uganda’s land is now degraded, while 39% suffers from an unsustainable rate of soil loss.

The financial toll of soil erosion and land degradation is estimated to soar to 17% of GDP.

In some regions, productivity losses for maize due to soil erosion have reached as high as 190 kg/ha, posing a dire threat to food security and the livelihoods of our most vulnerable citizens.

Moreover, our forests are vanishing at a staggering rate of 2.6% annually—one of the highest rates of forest loss worldwide—leaving many areas of land completely stripped of their verdant cover.

This relentless degradation endangers not just livelihoods, but also our economy and environment. Hence, the urgent call for land restoration resonates loudly: we must act swiftly to reverse the cycle of degradation and avert a looming catastrophe of hunger and despair.

Restoring land in Uganda demands a united effort from both private and public entities to mobilise communities and foster education.

Key activities must include tree planting initiatives, promoting agroforestry, enhancing pasture management, adhering to soil conservation practices, embracing sustainable land management, establishing protected areas, and implementing innovative natural regeneration techniques in degraded zones. Engaging local communities in decision-making processes and prioritizing the use of native species is equally crucial.

Nevertheless, these initiatives will remain futile without confronting the critical issue of security of tenure—a significant barrier that cannot be overlooked. The connection between security of land tenure and successful land restoration is both compelling and clear. When individuals possess secure rights to their land, they are more inclined to invest in restoring degraded areas—an investment driven by their vested interest in the land's long-term health and productivity.

Conversely, uncertain tenure often leads to neglect and degradation, as the lack of incentive discourages sustainable management practices. Secure tenure instills confidence in landowners, empowering them to dedicate their time and resources to restoration activities, such as tree planting and soil conservation, with the assurance that they will reap the rewards in the future.

Clear land ownership diminishes disputes over land use, creating a stable and conducive environment for revitalization efforts.

Communities can confidently devise long-term land management plans that incorporate innovative restoration strategies.

Furthermore, secure land rights invigorate local communities, encouraging them to actively participate in restoration projects, thus cultivating a deeper sense of ownership and commitment.

For instance, when farmers are assured of secure tenure, they are more likely to integrate tree planting into their agroforestry systems, enhancing soil health and biodiversity.

Secure grazing rights prompt pastoralists to adopt sustainable grazing practices, preventing overgrazing and promoting grassland recovery. Communities with assured access to riverbanks are more motivated to invest in tree planting along waterways, mitigating erosion and safeguarding water quality.

Consequently, any initiative aimed at land restoration in Uganda that fails to incorporate security of tenure risks being in vain. While achieving security of tenure presents challenges, including complex land tenure systems, the difficulties surrounding effective land titling and registration in remote areas, and existing gender disparities, numerous solutions await implementation. These solutions can ensure the security of tenure and ultimately catalyse land restoration efforts throughout the country.

The Buganda Land Board, for example, has been tirelessly working since 2007 to secure the tenancies of local people. Through strategic land registration initiatives, comprehensive surveys, and boundary adjudication, the Board has committed to enhancing land security as a pathway to restoration.

Over 300,000 individuals have been assisted in registering their tenancies, and at least 5% have successfully titled their land. 

We are already witnessing profound transformation marked by renewed hope and vibrant restoration efforts in areas where tenancies have been secured.

Therefore, the easiest way for the government to fulfill its commitment to restore 2.5 million hectares of degraded land by 2040, as part of the global "Bonn Challenge" initiative, should be supporting efforts that ensure the security of tenure for individuals and communities. The government, in collaboration with development partners or through the land fund, should assist those on untitled land, including bibanja holders in Buganda, with the costs of surveying and titling their land.

Additionally, the Government should streamline land administration processes and ensure the timely resolution of land disputes. These actions would significantly contribute to land restoration efforts across the country and curb the ongoing persistent degradation.

The writer is the communications officer of the Buganda Land Board.

kayemba@bugandalandboard.or.ug