Two states, one city? Conflict and accommodation in land delivery in Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
Kampala has evolved from the capital of the Buganda kingdom, which pre-dated colonialism, and the establishment of a 'twin' settlement adjacent to the original urban centre during the colonial period. This dual legacy has strongly influenced contemporary land development patterns and practices. The paper analyses the social relationships and legal provisions underpinning land tenure and transactions in the Buganda kingdom, those imported from the colonial power, and the complex relationships between them that resulted from colonial policies. It shows how these continue to determine the context and processes of land delivery in the city today. In particular, the paper examines the relationships between the official government structures and processes; the Buganda Land Board; and the actors involved in land delivery in informal settlements. It concludes that these relationships are characterised by both conflict and accommodation, with the result that the land delivery channels through which most prospective owners gain access to plots, while not unproblematic, generally work well to deliver large volumes of reasonably priced land.
Citation
International Development Planning Review (2006) 28 (2) 159-80[doi:10.3828/idpr.28.2.3]
Links
Two states, one city? Conflict and accommodation in land delivery in Kampala, Uganda