Comments on the Challenge Paper on “Land Tenure Reform and the Drylands”: Comments on the Challenge Paper on “Land Tenure Reform and the Drylands” MUGISA K. Tom PMA Secretariat UGANDA Land Tenure Reform and the Drylands Meeting ACTS, CISDL & UNDP Nairobi Feb. 28-Mar.3, 2005


Outline: Outline Background and Context PMA’s ENR Pillar : Land Comments on the Challenge Paper: Challenges, and Opportunities/Policy Lessons


Background - 1: Background - 1 GoU strategic objective is to improve livelihoods of poor people through a more equitable distribution of land access & ownership, & greater tenure security for vulnerable groups (women, children, PWDs..) Land belongs to Uganda citizens. On-going actions: - increase security of access:certification & land fund - improve access to justice in land cases - increase mass awareness of land rights, and - focus on both wetlands and drylands


Background - 2: Background - 2 Four land tenure systems: Customary – none landless but low investment incentives. Accounts for 75% of land in Uganda Individualiasation – due to agropastoralism & commercialisation (ranching) State land – gazetted for forest, game wetlands Open access – free movement across cattle corridor


Challenges: Challenges ENR issues are public goods that are at times undervalued resulting in declining quality of the environment Privatisation of pastoral resources – S&C Uga Population pressure from within & immigration Conflict and prolonged mass displacement Cross-boundary restrictions Operationalising ‘legal’ traditional tenure systems Inappropriate support services for pastoralists


The PMA is…: The PMA is… GoU plan under Pillar 2 of PEAP/PRSP to ‘eradicate’ poverty by improving the natural-resource based livelihoods of the rural poor in a sustainable manner’[1] Principles that govern GoU action in rural development & institutional framework for promotion of sustainable rural livelihoods [1] Revised PEAP , April 2004.


PMA Priority Areas: PMA Priority Areas Sustainable natural resource use and management (MWLE) Agricultural advisory services (MAAIF) Agricultural research – NARS (MAAIF) Agricultural education (MGLSD&MEOS) Rural financial services (MFPED) Agro-processing and marketing (MTTI) Rural Physical infrastructure (MWHC&MEMD)


Why is SNRUM important to PMA?: Why is SNRUM important to PMA? Rural poor depend on the ENR for basic needs & food security e.g Land, Water for Production, Forestry, Fisheries, wet & drylands… Turning subsistence farmers to commercial farmers depends on quality of the land to sustain increase in yields &/or diversification Therefore, sustainable use & management of these resources provides the only cost effective & viable option for the rural poor


Non-sectoral conditional grants to LC5 and LC3: Non-sectoral conditional grants to LC5 and LC3 Activities implemented using NSCG funds should not degrade the environment and natural resources Positive list of projects that ensure sustainable management and use of natural resources Checklist on how to integrate environmental concerns and natural resource management into NSCG projects


Slide10: John Ojedra from Arua District, has used the NSCG to establish this tree nursery replication project.


Comments on the Challenge Paper: Comments on the Challenge Paper General Comments: Initiative is appropriate and pro-poor Issues are complex and dynamic Premises for policy action be simplified Role of ‘bottom-up’ processes be articulated Drylands specific actions that build on existing approach be highlighted to avoid stand ‘alone’ Role of key players in increasing the pace from dialogue to action be specified (matrix?)


Comments - 2: Comments - 2 Specific Comments: Lessons: 5 key lessons are extremely valuable Challenge 1: Legalise customary systems to maximise security & avoid contradiction Ch. 2: Harmonise traditional/modern systems to increase pro-poor incentives to seize opportunity Ch. 3: Add clarity of roles, rights & benefits also contribute to success of the holistic approach


Comments - 3: Comments - 3 Lessons: Ch. 4: Titles/Credit - Not an excuse to deny Titles to the poor. Overlapping rights should be legally recognised Ch. 5: Apart from titling, other broad governance issues including land registry are equally important Opportunities: Raising concerns from the International community Framework for enhancing pace from concern to commitment should be expedited


Comments - 4: Comments - 4 Opportunities: Ch. 1: Participation must be realistic: information, plenty of time, resources Ch. 2: Focus on market issues that can limit transfer of land away from the poor. Consider efficient rental markets Ch. 3: Formalise/legalise local/customary systems and their management


Comments - 5: Comments - 5 Opportunities Ch. 4: Not sure about neutral political bodies. Strong need awareness & empowerment Ch. 5: Target decentralised programmes with ring-fenced resources for vulnerable groups Ch. 6: Ensure drylands issues are fully integrated in development programmes at all levels of implementation. Avoid stand alone or parallel initiatives.


Thank you: Thank you


Recommendations - 1: Recommendations - 1 Continue analysis of the contribution of improved management of drylands to poverty reduction Need to increase understanding how the poor themselves see the link between improved use/manag’t of drylands & their livelihoods The lessons generated be used to inform & enhance policy implementation


Recommendations - 2: Recommendations - 2 Need for a deliberate Government strategy to enhance capacity of the poor to manage drylands Need a pro-poor legal & regulatory framework that upholds land rights ensures tenure security More resources should be allocated to the drylands either centrally or at local government (cf. Wetlands) Accelerate the pace from dialogue to implementation