Assessing how the expectations of project affected persons’ affect the process of compulsory land acquisition in Uganda

Abstract

This study examined how the expectations of project affected persons (PAPs) affect the process of compulsory land acquisition in Uganda. The study established the different processes involved in compulsory land acquisition, PAP’s expectations of the compulsory land acquisition process, and examined the challenges faced by PAPs in compulsory land acquisition process. A cross sectional research design using a sample of 60 respondents was adopted. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents and data was collected using well designed structured questionnaire and interview guide. In conclusion, there are different processes involved in compulsory land acquisition. PAP’s have common expectations of the compulsory land acquisition process. In addition, there are challenges faced by PAPs in compulsory land acquisition process. This study recommends that the government should involve all the project affected persons in different processes involved in compulsory land acquisition. Compensation procedures as regards land acquisition should be clearly stated in the laws and applied such that the affected persons get their compensation awards in time so as to enable them continue with their daily economic activities. In addition, there should be transparency in the land acquisition process such that the affected persons can have clear view of the whole process and the actual amount they are supposed to get as compensation.