Reviews key gender issues that need addressing re IDP return and the resumption of livelihoods in the recovery of post-conflict Northern Uganda. Reveals the inadequacies in policy and law in addressing gender and land issues.

Contains introduction; the issues, emerging Intricacies – options for Policy and law reform; conclusion; references. Argues the need to address pastoral development policy in a coordinated manner in national development strategies and programmes.

An examination of land tenure arrangements in the former homelands of South Africa and of post-apartheid attempts to deal with them. Includes a critique of the new Communal Land Rights Bill. Argues that the very limited capacity of government’s over-centralised land administration has been the bugbear of land reform in South Africa and that over-optimistic predictions of the speed and scope of reforms have haunted officials and politicians who made them. Fears the new Bill will undermine the opportunity to strengthen the land rights of the poor.

Land in Uganda is the core factor of production and one of the three basic resources, next to people and time. Women’s struggle for gender balance with particular regard to land is a direct result of the fact that their central role in economic development has not been recognised; tradition and customs (such as polygamy, bride wealth and succession) have deprived them of actual ownership of land.

Analysis of women’s access to land in West Africa shows that they are central to agricultural development as land users, but rarely have the same access as men. They mainly have limited and temporary rights, although situations do vary. Increasing efforts are being made to remedy this through legislative texts and various bodies and NGOs, but it is particularly difficult in a context of social change and when other social categories, including men, may be in precarious land situations. How can we hope to secure women’s rights if those of men are not secure?

Part of the ongoing process of developing Uganda’s Draft National Land Policy. Definition of critical policy issues, statement of the problem, possible emerging policy options. Looks at clarity and certainty of land rights, constitutional and legal frameworks, land-rights administration, land use and management, implementation issues.

Three separate ‘on my mind’ articles by Professor Mbilinyi: Making National Land Policy inclusive and people-centred; In whose interest will this National Land Policy be?; Questions about the National Land Policy, 2016. Draft NLP just released for external consultation. Shares the views of other researchers.

A second report for the World Bank’s Northern Uganda Recovery and Development Program – RDP. The objective is to inform policy processes on post-conflict land policy and administration on likely types of land conflicts and claims, their resolution, gaps in current land policy, resources needed. Survey suggests that Teso’s IDP displacement patterns are unique. Customary tenure has been transformed, with household heads now owners, not trustees, of rights in land, so clans are merely informed of sales. Common property resources are at greatest risk.

Describes the work of the late Patrick McAuslan, international legal adviser on land. Covers contrary perspectives in Tanzania 1996-7; counterpoint in Uganda 1998-9; the land policy paper that never was Lesotho 2001; a reform too far Lesotho 2003; some satisfaction Botswana 2002; full speed ahead Rwanda 2006; concluding comments. The author hopes that the principles and standards Patrick McAuslan set will continue to inspire those who follow him.

A report commissioned by the World Bank’s Northern Uganda Recovery and Development Program (RDP). Contains chapters on internal displacement in Uganda; review of policy and laws on IDPs and land in Uganda; review of existing studies on land and IDPs; best practices, experiences, and lessons from Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Cambodia, El Salvador, Bosnia; emerging issues and research questions. Annexes on international conventions and covenants, and UN guiding principles on internal displacement.

Includes experience with land policy development in the region, the Malawi National Land Policy and its implementation strategy, the emerging land market, social protection and economic growth and DFID’s support to date. Among the options suggested to DFID are a more inclusive project, low cost strategic engagement or withdrawal from the land sector. Argues the need for DFID support for public information and awareness and for civil society organisations. Contains a draft legal brief on customary title in Malawian law as an annex.

Introduction – conceptual, policy and legislative frameworks. Overview of the impact of HIV/AIDS – on poverty, livelihoods, land and agriculture. Study findings and their implications – land tenure, land rights, gender and inheritance, land use, land administration, land markets and redistribution, agricultural production. Emerging issues and policy options on land tenure, land rights, land use, land administration, land markets and redistribution, agricultural production. Includes findings from household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.