LAND CONFLICTS AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN LYANTONDE SUBCOUNTY LYANTONDE DISTRICT

Abstract

The study examined the effects of land conflicts on food security in Lyantonde rural sub county Lyantonde district. It was guided by the following objectives; toanalyze how family land conflicts, ethnic land conflicts and land grabbing amidst existing land laws have impacted on food security in Lyantonde rural sub county. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design with mixed approaches of data collection and analysis. The study population comprised of community members, the RDC, Police officers, political and civil leaders of villages in Lyantonde Sub County, members of district and sub county land board and a sample size of 391 respondents participated. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire and interview guide. Quantitative data collected data was analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data was analyzed by use of both thematic and content analysis. The study established that people in Lyantonde occupied Mailo land, customary land, Freehold and a few on Leasehold land. Unresolved land ownership, incompatibility of cattle keeping with crop farming unclear boundaries, population growth were leading causes of family and ethnic land conflicts which have culminated into death of animals, destruction of crops, Killing of villagers, loss of originally owned land, reduced food production, reduction in income which have all affected food stability among conflicting families and community at large in the study area. The study established that there exist cases of land grabbing in Lyantonde rural sub county manifested through forceful evictions and dubious land deals though on a moderate rate. It was revealed that land grabbing is majorly conducted by rich local private individuals and statehouse operatives due to the presence of absentee land lords, poor land tenure system, corruption, x poverty, connection to statehouse and poor implementation of land laws leading into mass displacement of people, landlessness hence food insecurity. The study established that majority of the people living Lyantonde Rural Sub County do not know land laws and had less trust in courts of law since they take a very long time with many procedures to give judgment overland conflicts and are very corrupt. The study recommends that; alternative source of livelihoods should be provided to the people, traditional institutions should be strengthened, land boundaries between clans or communities should clearly be defined, demarcated and documented and, also, there should be strong stakeholder collaboration in land administration.