Land governance as grey zone: the political incentives of land reform implementation in Africa

ABSTRACT

Weak state capacity has often been in focus when explaining why land reform in sub-Saharan Africa is not implemented. However, an analysis of the deeper politics of land reform brings our attention to a set of incentives which allow rules governing land to be open to interpretation. This article demonstrates that in Uganda, the need to maintain the ruling coalition in a clientelist political settlement to build electoral support, and the desire to attract economic investors, constitute political incentives to maintain land governance as a grey zone, even if there is apparent political will to implement land reforms.

KEYWORDS:

• Land governance
• grey zone
• political incentives
• Africa
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge funding from the consultative research committee of Danida for the TrustLand research programme, and to thank Lotte Meinert; Stephen Langole; Susan and Michael Whyte; Catherine Boone; participants in the TrustLand workshop January 2016; Marianne Ulriksen; Rachel Beach; and anonymous reviewers for useful discussions and/or comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 This understanding draws upon Feeny’s (1993) understanding of governance. For a discussion, see Kjær, 2004.

2 The 25 politicians represented both government and opposition, as well as LC3, LC5 and Parliamentary candidates in the Northern (Gulu, Kaabong), and Kampala regions.

3 Author interview with consultant on land and agriculture development from Buganda region, Kampala, November 2015.

4 Northern MPs have often raised this issue and it was also conveyed strongly in interviews with local politicians and officials in Gulu, November 2015.

5 Interviews with researcher and advocate from ACODE, a think tank for development and the environment, June 2012; Uganda Land Alliance, November 2015; and Gulu land officials narrating about local councillors, November 2015.

6 The Daily Monitor Reporter, 2015; The Independent Team, 2013; Interview with land advocate, November 2015.

7 Interviews with local officials and politicians in Gulu, November 2015 and January 2016.

8 Author interview with member of the Amuru Landboard, November 2015.

9 Author interview, Lawyer with the NGO AFIEGO, June 2013.

10 Author interview, Uganda Investment Authority then director, June 2010.

11 Author interview, Lawyer with the NGO AFIEGO, June 2013.

12 Author interview, NGO Lawyer, June 2013.

13 This opinion was, for example, expressed by a long-time researcher on Buganda land issues and presidential advisor, when interviewed in November 2015.