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Deal #7679 Version #80710

Uganda

Created at

2020-01-31

Last update

2020-02-07

Last full update

2024-10-09

Names of communities / indigenous peoples affected

Name of community

landless Communities in Nyamalebe Landless

Comment on communities / indigenous peoples affected

The land in particular being targeted is located on ranch 20 and 21 respectively with majority lawful occupants being smallholder farmers involved in substance agriculture

Recognition status of community land tenure

Comment on recognition status of community land tenure

This land is part of the former government ranches in Bunyoro sub region that was given to the landless Communities in Nyamalebe Landless by government between 2000- 2002.

Consultation of local community

Community consultation

Not consulted

Comment on consultation of local community

Agilis has never consulted the bonafide occupants on the investment, no valuation of properties, no agreed rates for compensation and there’s no agreement from them to give their land to this food company. According to Kabera James, the chairperson of Nyamalebe Landless Association, a rally was held at Kanoni in November, 2017 where the police and Kiryandongo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) announced that the land had been given to Joseph Initiatives. They were threatened with arrests and detention should they ‘sabotage’ the development.

How did the community react?

Community reaction

Rejection

Presence of land conflicts

Yes

Comment on presence of land conflicts

This land is part of the former government ranches in Bunyoro sub region that was given to the landless Communities in Nyamalebe Landless by government between 2000- 2002.

Displacement of people

Yes

Number of households actually displaced

2 300

Comment on displacement of people

Grabbing about 2000 hectares and forcefully evicting over 2300 families off

Negative impacts for local communities

Socio-economic, Eviction, Displacement, Violence, Other

Comment on negative impacts for local communities

The native communities accused Agilis Partners for scheming with Uganda Police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to forcefully grab their land for agribusiness. They also accused workers of Agilis Partners Limited burnt down their houses, razed down dozens of schools and hospitals, cut down people’s crops, illegally detained outspoken community leaders, used excessive force and live ammunition to grab their land.

Promised or received compensation

Received compensation (e.g. for damages or resettlements)

The company and its agents used to do was to invade people’s home, put them on gunpoint and force you to sign for as low as Uganda Shillings 200,000 equivalent to US$ 54 as compensation for your five (5) acres of land and give 3 days to leave.

Materialized benefits for local communities

Capacity building

Comment on materialized benefits for local communities

Asili Farms, in partnership with Joseph Initiative, transfers the conservation practices to smallholder farmers through training programmes. These practices have assisted farmers to more than double their yields.”