Assessing the effect of the existing legal framework on land acquisition for project implementation in Uganda
Abstract
The study aimed at assessing the effect of the existing legal framework on land acquisition for
project implementation in Bukasa, Kira Town, Wakiso District. It was made up of three
objectives; identifying the factors affecting land acquisition associated with Bukasa Inland
Port, identifying the gaps in the legal framework guiding land acquisition, and assessing the
impacts of the gaps on land acquisition for Bukasa Inland Port project. Literature was reviewed
looking at what had been written by previous researchers on concept of land, methods of land
acquisition, need for land acquisition and compulsory land acquisition, acquisition process,
challenges in land acquisition, gaps in the legal framework, their impacts on land acquisition
for project implementation and the legal framework guiding land acquisition.
The study was conducted using a cross sectional research design study. A sample size of 338
Project Affected Persons and 12 Key Personnel was used. Simple random sampling was used
for both respondents. The researcher primarily collected data with the aid of questionnaires and
structured interviews. 338 questionnaires were distributed to Projected Affected Persons and
12 structured interviews were conducted with Key Personnel. 240 questionnaires were filled in
and returned by the Project Affected Persons and 12 structured interviews were conducted with
Key Personnel. The analyses were conducted using a computer software package called SPSS
system version 25. Data generated was analysed using statistical measures such as frequency
and mode. Relative indices were used to rank Likert scales. Demographic data was presented
using tables and charts like pie charts and bar charts.
Results showed that there was need to amend and update the legal framework guiding land
acquisition because of the increased delay in acquiring land and starting of the project attributed
to the gaps and ambiguities in the legal framework. The researcher concluded that, indeed,
there was a need for legal framework to be updated and recommended that there was need for,
among others; Maintaining an open, accountable, and meaningful engagement with affected
and host communities, as well as all other stakeholders, setting up corruption alerts mechanism,
improving on the budgeting, establishing of dependable access to necessary information and
grievance mechanisms, An accessible and effective appeals procedure, massive sensitization
and tagging timeline for prompt payment.