Who gets What, When and How? New Corporate Land Acquisitions and the Impact on Local Livelihoods in Uganda

Abstract

Is the private sector able to contribute to development? And if yes, what should be their approach and how do they collaborate with the other actors involved? More importantly, how do investors acquire land and what is the impact of these land acquisitions on local livelihoods? This research asked the question: What are the main characteristics of new corporate land acquisitions in Uganda and what is the impact on the local livelihoods? Six recent investments in Uganda were selected and for each of the investments semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with the relevant actors involved. This research presents the findings in terms of compensation, employment, which varies for all the investments, investments in (market/physical) infrastructure and discusses other positive and negative impacts. The main findings are that: (1) there is a gap between the information that is known in international reports on 'land grabbing' and the reality; (2) most new corporate land acquisitions that are operational now, are Ugandan companies and not foreign; (3) the selected new corporate land acquisitions are different in their structure and partnerships, from public-private partnership, outgrowers’ scheme, to independent companies who don’t have any agreements with other actors; (4) various actors are involved in new corporate land acquisitions, on all levels. In Uganda, the national actors appear to be most dominant; (5) two of the six selected investments have land disputes and are currently being handled in court; (6) corporate social responsibilities are often not specified in binding and transparent contracts, and the concept of benefit-sharing is not yet put in practice; and (7) although opinions differ on the various impacts, this research clearly shows that it is not a black and white story, as is often presented either by the investor or NGOs.