Assessing the impact of Compensation to Project Affected Persons during Compulsory Land Acquisition in Uganda - Kampala
Abstract
The major purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of Compensation to Project Affected Persons during Compulsory Land Acquisition in Uganda. Compulsory acquisition is the power of government to acquire private rights in land for a public purpose, without the willing consent of its owner or occupant (S Keith, 2008). The powers of compulsory acquisition are often contentious and its implementation marred by controversies. In developing countries, the powers are susceptible to abuse by corrupt governments. The procurement of land for large infrastructure and development projects through market mechanisms involves huge transaction and information costs, which make the whole process expensive and time consuming. Among other objectives of this study, were, the need to review the existing structures that govern and streamline the practice of Compulsory Land Acquisition in Uganda to be in position to understand the challenges faced by key stakeholders and make better amendments that will improve the future CLA projects thus enabling Uganda to attain its development goals not to the detriment of its citizens were among the objectives for this research.
Cross-sectional research was adopted for this investigation using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for data collection with focus put on the compensation project that took place along Primary Drainage System 2 Lubigi; Secondary Drainage Channel 07, Kawempe Division, Bwaise II Parish, Nakamiro Zone, Nakamiro Channel which drains Kampala and its improvement aimed at addressing the flooding problem in the city. Data analysis of the research findings obtained from Government Valuers and Project Affected Persons (PAPS) through questionnaires as well as data from Local Councils and Environmentalists through face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data was presented in the form of charts, graphs, tables and percentages. Qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques were utilized to aid in the presentation and interpretation of information with the help of Microsoft Excel.
When Governments compulsorily acquire land, they have an obligation to ensure that the process is done and completed in an equitable and transparent manner. It is important, therefore, that satisfactory approaches are in place and effectively implemented to ensure that communities and people are placed in at least equivalent positions to those before the land acquisition.
The researcher recommends that further studies can be carried out to critically analyze the effects of the new land laws on compulsory land acquisition in Uganda.