Refugee Land User Policy and Its Impact on Refugee-Local Community Co-Existence in Nyumanzi Settlement, Adjumani District - Uganda

Abstract

The Government of Uganda (GoU) is widely regarded within the global refugee regime for its model of refugee integration, which is based largely on local settlement and an open-door policy towards refugees. Under this policy, refugees are granted land-use rights over land allocated by the government for habitation and agricultural activities. However, the rapid increase in the refugee population has intensified demand for land and other natural resources, resulting in increased competition and tensions between refugees and host communities. Given the critical role of land in sustaining Uganda's refugee policy, this study examined how the refugee land-use policy has influenced coexistence between refugees and host communities in Nyumanzi Settlement.

A sample of 100 participants was selected from across the settlement and the surrounding host community of Egge Village using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Participants included members of both refugee and host communities, officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNHCR and its implementing partners, and community leaders. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach. Data were collected from 75 respondents through questionnaires, 11 participants through interviews, and three focus group discussions.

The findings revealed that the refugee land-use policy has had both positive and negative effects on relations between refugees and host communities. On the one hand, land-sharing arrangements through renting, hiring, and borrowing have become increasingly common and have contributed to building positive relationships between the two communities. On the other hand, the policy has been associated with resource scarcity and land-boundary disputes, particularly where livestock trespass into host communities' crop fields. These challenges have emerged as significant threats to peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities. The study recommends concerted efforts by the government, UNHCR, and community leaders to address resource competition, land disputes, and other factors that undermine peaceful coexistence.