Policy brief comparing state and traditional land justice systems in Uganda

Abstract

Since 2009, Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU) has in several papers and through various forums addressed the challenges posed by the state and traditional land justice systems operating in a parallel manner and by the weaknesses found in both systems. The research by LEMU comparing the state and traditional land justice systems in Uganda, financed by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)(2014-2017) has confirmed several of the challenges LEMU had raised and added new perspectives to them. This policy brief presents strengths and weaknesses of state and traditional institutions in relation to access, costs and speed in concluding the process of resolving land cases and the challenges the two institutions face. The policy brief then re-examines the solutions that have been tried out and proposes some options for the way forward towards ensuring fast and equitable access to justice in land matters.