Land Governance Institutions and Land Conflict Management in Lira District, Lango Sub-Region, Uganda

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of selected land governance institutions in the management of land conflicts in Lango sub-region. Methods and materials: Both correlation and descriptive designs were used and a sample size of 200 was targeted, and sampled using purposive and simple random sampling techniques from whom, questionnaires was administered among members of Land Tribunals, local council courts, and opinion leaders.  The response rate of 86% was achieved from which data was analysed. Findings: The study reveals that the correlation between Land Tribunals and land conflicts (r = .120; p-value >.05) is positive and weak; between Local Council Courts and land conflict (r = .224; p-value <.05) is positive and weak; and between Ad-hoc Mediators and land conflict (r = .518; p-value>.05) is positive and strong. Further, the results of multiple regression reveal that Land Tribunals (Beta = .143; p-value >.05) is low in land conflict management; Local Council Courts (Beta = .085; p-value >.05) is low in land conflict management; and that Ad-hoc Mediators (Beta = .479; p-value >.05) is relatively high in land conflict management. Conclusion: It was concluded that Land Tribunals are the least effective in managing land conflicts but Local Council Courts are least effective in managing land conflicts; and that Ad-hoc Mediation is more effective in managing land conflicts in the study area. Recommendations: From the study, it is encouraged that government considers re-enforcing the role of Land Tribunals with the view of making them more effective in land conflicts management; A study on factors leading to rampant land conflicts is proposed.