The role of Spatial Planning in Managing Peri-Urban Spatial Land use Conflicts in Uganda; a case study of Goma Division in Mukono Municipality.

Abstract

Land use conflicts present significant challenges to sustainable development particularly in rapidly urbanising peri-urban areas. Spatial planning is a critical tool in managing these land use conflicts by promoting orderly land use, balancing stakeholder interests and ensuring sustainable land management. This study assessed the role of spatial planning in managing spatially manifested land use conflicts in Goma Division, Mukono Municipality. A mixed-methods study design was adopted, integrating quantitative household surveys with qualitative interviews and spatial data analysis. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were used to identify the spatial patterns of existing land use conflicts, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 26) was employed to analyse quantitative data and qualitative data was thematically analysed. A total of one hundred (100) land-users and forty-one (41) local and institutional actors were interviewed to capture their lived experiences regarding the nature, causes and existing spatial planning methods for the management of land use conflicts. Key findings revealed that 53% of respondents had experienced land use conflicts, primarily resulting from rapid urbanisation and population growth (82%), poor enforcement of land use regulations (56%) and gaps in spatial planning interventions (23%). Spatial analysis confirmed that conflicts were concentrated in areas undergoing unregulated development. Although detailed physical development plans exist for some wards such as Bukerere and Misindye, their implementation remains weak due to limited institutional capacity, inadequate enforcement, and limited stakeholder participation. The study’s analysis showed that institutional fragmentation between planning authorities, local councils, and landowners has weakened coordination, while insufficient community involvement has reduced compliance with zoning and planning standards. The disconnect between formal plans and actual land-use practices continues to fuel peri-urban land use conflicts. The findings also highlighted the potential of participatory spatial planning when coupled with locally informed decision-making to mitigate land use conflicts and promote sustainable land use. The study concluded that spatial planning in Goma Division has yet to realize its full potential as a proactive land use conflict management tool. To harness spatial planning as a land use conflict management tool, there is a need to enforce detailed plans, strengthen institutional capacity and promote participatory planning to balance competing land interests and minimise ensuing land use conflicts.