MEDIA FOR CHANGE NETWORK

One in three people sleeps on an empty stomach – World Bank Report.

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

In a recent report by the World Bank, staggering statistics have revealed that nearly one in three people, especially in developing countries, face precarious access to food. This reality poses a significant obstacle to progress on a global scale, hindering advancements in various areas.

The shocking statistics were revealed in the World Bank’s 2024 Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report released Tuesday, 9th January. The Global Economic Prospects is a World Bank Group Flagship Report that examines global economic developments and prospects with a special focus on emerging markets and developing economies.

Mr. Indermit Gill, the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group emphasized that in many developing countries, particularly among the poorest, nearly one out of every three people will face tenuous access to food.

“Near-term growth will remain weak, leaving many developing countries especially the poorest stuck in a trap: with paralyzing levels of debt and tenuous access to food for nearly one out of every three people. That would obstruct progress on many global priorities.” Mr. Indermit revealed.

The issue of food insecurity remains a formidable challenge, not only in Uganda but across the globe. The June 2023 edition of the Bank’s Global Economic Prospect report also, highlighted the intensification of food insecurity in Low-Income Countries.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2023 report estimates a rise in severely food insecure individuals globally from 624 million in 2017 to a staggering 900 million in 2022.

However, amid these challenges, the report identifies an opportunity to tackle the issue of food insecurity. It emphasizes the need for increased global cooperation to address the urgent challenges caused by mounting food insecurity.

Witness Radio – Uganda attributes the problem to the growing demand for land in developing countries for Land-Based Investments (LBIs). These investments most times target land for local and indigenous and displace them without providing alternative settlement and compensation.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, says small-scale farmers contribute to 80 percent of the World’s food basket thus if supported would contribute enough food for the World.

Numerous individuals are facing forceful eviction under the pretext of large-scale farming aimed at boosting food production and other profit-driven, large-scale land-based investments. The above-mentioned cases are just a glimpse of the numerous incidents occurring. According to Witness Radio’s monitoring desk, the organization’s website logs and investigates over two cases related to violent land evictions for investments every week in Uganda.

Research from Witness Radio Uganda and other civil societies such as Grain and Oxfam among others has uncovered that investments in multinational companies or investors often bring about adverse effects. Many people are displaced, tortured, criminalized, sexually assaulted, and among others, all in the name of development and paving the way for large-scale business investments.

Take a look at Kiryandongo district, where close to 40,000 people were forcefully evicted, and currently live a destitute life by four multinational companies, just to carry out large-scale farming of coffee, maize, soya beans, and sugarcanes, which are all solely for export paradoxically worsening hunger.

Troublingly, the World Bank’s sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has recently contributed to the funding of one of these projects, despite being aware that the funded project is linked to violations of human rights within the affected communities.

While the fate of the 40,000 displaced individuals in Kiryandongo remains uncertain, a similar tale unfolds in central Uganda, specifically in Mubende district. Here, a staggering 20,000 people faced eviction to make room for monoculture tree-planting activities orchestrated by the UK-based New Forests company. Adding to the distress, in a bid to increase oil palm production, Bidco Uganda, a joint venture formed between Wilmar International, Josovina Commodities, and Bidco Oil Refineries evicted more than 100 people to give way for palm trees in the Kalangala district.

In an interview with Witness Radio – Uganda with Mr. Beryaija Benon who lost 10.1 hectares of land to Great Seasons smc limited which grows coffee in the Kiryandongo district, his response was kicked off by uncertainty. He explained that he and his family of 10 are navigating an unclear path to sustenance. Despite relying on God’s Grace, Mr. Beryaija holds resentment toward a multinational company that disrupted his life. In the past, he utilized his land for cultivating crops such as maize, cassava, and bananas, in addition to raising over 50 pigs, 75 chickens and 45 ducks. The proceeds from these endeavors not only earned him millions but also provided sufficient for his family.

Mr. Beryaija, a community land rights defender who was forcibly evicted from Jerusalem in Kiryandongo, is actively mobilizing his communities to reclaim the land taken by multinational companies in the Kiryandongo district. Due to concerns for his safety, he has relocated to the city center to earn a living for his family.

“Imagine buying food daily in a city center for a local man like me, who used to feed my family with fresh produce from my land and earned millions from the surplus. Now, I live like a pauper since my land was forcibly taken from me. I spend at least 20,000 Ugx every day on family food, translating to 60,000 Ugx monthly, despite having no stable source of income. I now have to toil casually every day just to earn enough for us to eat,” revealed the defender.

If the ongoing trend of irresponsible land-based investments, particularly in creating large-scale agricultural land perpetuated by powerful and resourceful global companies with support from government leaders continues an abated. The second goal of the 17, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development zero hunger will remain unattainable.

Witness Radio observes that under the call for global cooperation and investments, investors and their companies should protect and support smallholder farmers and prioritize people, the planet, and profits, not the reverse, rather than promoting large-scale land-based investments that threaten livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

MEDIA FOR CHANGE NETWORK

20 witness to testify against ex-land registration commissioner Mugaino

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2025

witnessradio.org

Mugaino is battling charges of abuse of office and corruption over allegations of irregular cancellation of certificates of title for several pieces of land in Kampala city.

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) says about 20 witnesses are expected to testify against former Commissioner for Land Registration Baker Mugaino.

Mugaino is battling charges of abuse of office and corruption over allegations of irregular cancellation of certificates of title for several pieces of land in Kampala city.

The cancelled titles belong to Tropical Bank, Namayiba Park Hotel and businessman Gerald Akugizibwe.

The titles are for land comprising Kibuga Block 12 plots 658, 659, and 665 in Kisenyi; Kibuga Block 4 plot 152 in Namirembe, and Kyadondo Block 244 plot 2506 in Kisugu, Kampala district.

In a statement released on July 23, 2025, IG says the 20 complaints including Tropical Bank officials have recorded witness statements and are ready to give evidence against Mugaino in court.

The statement was released following an article published in the Independent Magazine titled, “IGG abusing her office”.

The IG said the article contains unfounded allegations against the person of the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, questioning her decision to interdict, investigate and later prosecute Mugaino.

According to the IG, it is standard procedure for the IGG to issue orders to interdict a public officer if they have cause to believe that the officer might interfere with investigations.

The IG says the authority is derived from Article 230(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act.

The IG states that the matter of Mugaino’s conduct while performing official duty is before court and, therefore, cannot be discussed in the public because it offends the sub judice law.

The IGG over the past four years has interdicted over 150 public officers, including six senior officers in the Office of the Prime Minister and many chief administrative officers.

Complaints

According to the statement, between December 2024 and April 2025, the IGG received 22 complaints against Mugaino alleging cancellation of certificates of title without following prescribed procedures under the law, removal of caveats without giving prescribed notices, double titling, issuing of special certificates of title while original ones exist, leading to multiple titling, cancellation of certificates of titles for disputes that would essentially be handled by courts with the intention of defeating Justice.

IG states that preliminary investigations found merit in the allegations and the IGG decided to launch a full-scale investigation in the office of the commissioner land registration.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that between April 8 and 20 this year, Mugaino, while employed in the public service as commissioner of land registration, lands ministry in Kampala, abused his authority by arbitrarily performing acts prejudicial to his employer’s interests – the Government of Uganda, Tropical Bank Ltd, Akugizibwe and Namayiba Park Hotel.

He is accused of irregularly cancelling certificates of title his office had issued to Tropical Bank, Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel.

The prosecution also alleges that Mugaino neglected his duties as stipulated in Section 88 of the Land Act and his schedule of duties as commissioner land registration, in April this year when handling a complaint about the land in question.

Background

Court documents indicate that on February 28, 2007, Businessman Mousa Lutwama Kizito obtained a credit facility of shillings 400 million from Tropical Bank using collateral constituting land at Kisugu in Kampala.

The documents further state that on August 18, 2007, Lweza Clays Ltd also obtained a credit facility from Tropical Bank using collateral consisting of land comprising Namirembe and Kisugu in Kampala and Lweza in Wakiso district.

Accordingly, Tropical Bank on September 25, 2007 registered the mortgages on the certificate of title.

However, Kizito and Lweza Clays defaulted on their loan repayments, prompting the bank to advertise the mortgaged properties after winning a court case.

Consequently, the bank on October 10, 2022, sold the mortgaged property at Namirembe to Akugizibwe for shillings 415 million. The bank also sold property at Kisenyi to Namayiba Park Hotel for shillings two billion.

The bank wrote to the Registrar High Court requesting the return of the mortgaged certificates of titles and bank guarantee as per the court order issued by Justice Stephen Mubiru.

The bank applied to the Commissioner Land Registration, requesting for special certificates of title upon failure to retrieve the mortgaged copies from the Registrar High Court (Commercial Division).

In a petition dated April 8, 2025, MBS Advocates, acting on behalf of Kizito and Luweza, requested the commissioner land registration to cancel the certificates of title for the land in question and Mugaino allegedly illegally removed court orders and caveats that had been lodged on the certificates of title, without any other orders from court.

Original Source: New Vision

MEDIA FOR CHANGE NETWORK

Controversy Erupts Over Clearing of Kitubulu Forest Reserve for Development

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2025

witnessradio.org

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) is under growing criticism for allocating sections of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe to private developers—an action environmental advocates say contradicts the agency’s mandate of sustainable forest management.

According to the NFA’s official website, the authority is responsible for managing Uganda’s 1.265 million hectares of central forest reserves sustainably.

However, the recent clearing of parts of Kitubulu forest for development has sparked public outcry and accusations of institutional mismanagement.

This move also revives concerns about historical encroachment in Kitubulu. In 2018, a private developer controversially fenced off portions of the reserve to build cottages.

In 2022, Entebbe Member of Parliament Michael Kakembo led efforts to dismantle illegal structures, citing violations of environmental protection laws.

Environmentalists stress that the reserve plays a vital ecological role, including filtering pollutants before they enter Lake Victoria.

“This forest is part of the lake’s natural filtration system,” said a local activist who requested anonymity.

“When you clear it for concrete, you’re endangering both biodiversity and public health.”

Scientific data supports the reserve’s importance in preventing contaminants from reaching one of Africa’s most critical freshwater sources.

Broader concerns over Uganda’s dwindling forest cover add to the controversy. Research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) shows forest land now covers just 1.9 million hectares—or 10% of Uganda’s total land area.

Much of this loss results from human activities such as deforestation for agriculture, charcoal burning, and unauthorized development.

While no direct peer-reviewed studies link NFA’s land allocations to specific ecological damage, experts warn that ongoing forest degradation threatens environmental stability.

Despite mounting criticism, the NFA has yet to issue a formal response explaining the legal and environmental grounds for the Kitubulu land allocations.

Pressure is growing for greater accountability and a thorough review of forest governance in Uganda.

Original Source: nilepost.co.ug

MEDIA FOR CHANGE NETWORK

Land Grabbing Crisis Escalates in Uganda: Mayiga Urges Citizens to Secure Land Documents

Published

2 weeks ago

July 12, 2025

witnessradio.org

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga has issued a stern warning about the widespread threat of land grabbing in Uganda, that is destabilising communities and robbing citizens of their rightful property. Mayiga’s remarks came during a strategic meeting with Masaza Chiefs at Bulange, the administrative heart of the Buganda Kingdom.

According to Mayiga, land grabbing is no longer an isolated issue but a well-organised scheme that thrives on exploitation of unclear land ownership, missing documentation, and the absence of rightful landowners.

“Land grabbing is becoming a national crisis,” Mayiga said. “It is being driven by people who have access to the district land boards, judicial offices, law enforcement agencies, and even local government leaders such as RDCs, RCCs, and LCs. They use these connections to manipulate the system and claim land illegally.”

Mayiga warned that if left unaddressed, the issue will not only affect individuals but also undermine national development, destroy community cohesion, and increase poverty through the displacement of vulnerable landowners.

To protect themselves, the Katikkiro urged all Ugandans—especially those in Buganda—to ensure that their land is properly documented.

He emphasised the importance of obtaining and safeguarding legal documents such as land titles, sale agreements, and clear boundary demarcations.

“You must secure your land,” Mayiga stressed. “Have the right documents in place. Make sure your land is clearly demarcated and that all agreements are formalised. This is the only way we can defend ourselves.”

Mayiga also called on cultural leaders, legal professionals, and local governments to assist communities in navigating land registration processes and to stand against corrupt practices that enable land theft.

Buganda, with its vast and historic Mailo land system, has been one of the regions most affected by land-related conflicts. The Kingdom has consistently advocated for stronger protections for landowners and reforms to reduce exploitation and legal ambiguity.

Source: NilePost