Land grabbing and food security in Luwero District, Uganda

Abstract

This study delves into land grabbing and food security in Luwero District, Uganda. The research objectives were to establish the nature of land-grabbing practices; to examine factors influencing land grabbing on food security; to examine trends or patterns of food security; and to examine the relationship between land-grabbing practices and food security. The study used secondary data analysis. Factors influencing land grabbing in Luwero District are found to be deeply intertwined with the community's food security. Weak land policies and management, coupled with inadequate knowledge of existing legislation create fertile ground for land-grabbing practices. This is exacerbated by bribery and a lack of timely legal resolutions, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity. The competition for agricultural land, driven by population growth and urbanization, further intensifies the pressure on available resources. Customary land ownership systems and lack of proper documentation leave vulnerable groups, particularly women, at a heightened risk of land grabbing. The trends and patterns of food security in Luwero District reflect a complex interplay of global and local factors. The district is not immune to the challenges observed on a global scale, such as the resurgence of global hunger, exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, economic difficulties, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technologies have emerged as a promising avenue to bolster agricultural productivity and supply chain efficiency, potentially enhancing food security. The relationship between land grabbing and food security in Luwero District is deeply intertwined and has far-reaching consequences. The displacement of smallholder farmers from their lands disrupts their primary source of food production and livelihoods, leading to increased food insecurity. The loss of productive agricultural land for commercial purposes diminishes the capacity to grow enough food locally, further exacerbating food scarcity and access issues. The study emphasizes the displacement of smallholder farmers, loss of productive agricultural land, reduced access to natural resources, and the effects on livelihoods as key repercussions of land grabbing on food security. Additionally, land grabbing leads to a shift in land use patterns, prioritizing cash crops for export over staple food crops for local consumption, potentially resulting in higher food prices and increased dependency on imported food. To mitigate the far-reaching consequences of land grabbing on food security in Luwero District, a series of targeted interventions are crucial. First and foremost, policies should be implemented to protect the rights of smallholder farmers, ensuring they are not forcibly displaced from their lands. Additionally, balanced land use planning that considers both commercial and subsistence agriculture is imperative to prevent the over-prioritization of cash crops for export. Sustainable natural resource management practices must be enforced to guarantee continued access to essential resources for agriculture. Diversification of livelihoods in affected communities can reduce dependency on agriculture alone. Finally, enforcing and strengthening legal frameworks to prevent land grabbing is paramount, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.