An Assessment of the Effects of Land Conflict on the SocioEconomic aspect of Women in Mbale District

By

Nagudi Judith Nabugyere BA. Edu. 2002 (MUK)

A Research Proposal submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Arts in Peace, Religion and Conflict Resolution of the Islamic University in Uganda.

October 2008

DECLARATION I, Nagudi Judith Nabugyere declare that the information in this Research Proposal is correct. This Research work is as a result of my independent investigation and acknowledgment has been given to works of others. This research work has not been published and /or tendered for any other degree award to any other University before.

Signed: ................................... Candidate

....................................... Date

APPROVAL This is to certify that Nagudi Judith Nabugyeres Research Proposal titled An Assessment of the Effects of Land Conflicts on the Socio-Economic status of the Women in Mbale District is ready for submission to the department for examination by the Facultys Higher Degrees committee

Supervisor: . Dr. Nabalegwa Muhamud Date:

DEDICATIONS This work is dedicated to my family.

TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION............................................................................................................................. APPROVAL.................................................................................................................................... DEDICATIONS.............................................................................................................................. TABLE OF CONTENT...................................................................................................................

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 1.1 Background of Study......................................................................................................... 1.2 Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................. 1.3 The Objectives of the Study:............................................................................................. 1.3.1 General Objectives:........................................................................................................ 1.3.2 Specific Objectives:........................................................................................................ 1.4 Research Questions........................................................................................................... 1.5 The Scope of the Study...................................................................................................... 1.6 Significance of Study........................................................................................................ 1.7 The Theoretical Framework.............................................................................................. CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................. 2.1 Causes of Land Conflicts.................................................................................................. 2.2 Identify land tenure system practiced and how it has affected women............................. 2.3 Asses the effectiveness of Land Tribunals in disposing land disputes.............................. 2.4 Establish remedies adopted in solving land related wrangles........................................... CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY........................................................................................ 3.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 3.1 Research Design................................................................................................................

3.2 Study Population............................................................................................................... 3.3 Sample Size....................................................................................................................... 3.4 Sampling Techniques......................................................................................................... 3.5 Data Collection Methods................................................................................................... 3.5.1 Questionnaires................................................................................................................ 3.5.2 Interviews....................................................................................................................... 3.6. Data Quality Control........................................................................................................ 3.6.1 Reliability....................................................................................................................... 3.6.2 Validity........................................................................................................................... 3.7 Data Processing and Analysis............................................................................................

REFRRENCES................................................................................................................................

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of Study While there is a large, though inconclusive, literature on the impact of land titles in Africa, little attention has been devoted to the study of land conflict, despite evidence on increasing incidence of such conflict. Deininger and Castagnini (2004) use data from Uganda to explore who is affected by land conflicts, whether recent legal changes have helped to reduce their incidence, and to assess their impact on productivity. Results indicate that female-headed households and widows are particularly affected and that the enactment of the 1998 Land Act has failed to reduce the number of pending land conflicts. The government of Uganda has suggested amending the above said Land Act in a bid to resolve the ever emerging land conflicts between the Landlords and the sitting tenants. This suggests that, especially in Africa, attention to land-related conflicts and exploration of ways to prevent and speedily resolve them would be an important area for policy as well as research. Land is a treasured resource for development in every respect and at all levels especially in the sub Saharan regions, and it has become a source of conflict. Evidence shows that the highest numbers of cases registered by Local Council Courts from village level to Sub-county level are land related. According to interactions with the Local Council members in Mbale, these cases range from unclear boundaries, grabbing, disputes of inheritance to deceased property, sell of air (land that is not there) and forceful eviction of sitting tenants by the land lords like those on Kakugulu Estates. In Uganda, over 80% of its population practice agriculture and these depend on land, this is also the case in Mbale District especially in the Bungokho Sub-region unlike in Mbale Municipality which is predominately an Urban Place. What should be observed in this region is that land is limited due to the high population that has lead to land fragmentation. On a general note, Mbale district has an area of 2444.7 square kilometers with an average population of 721,242, at a growth rate of 2.8 (Ugandan population and housing census 2002). This population density about 594 persons per square kilometer. This has led to scarcity of land resource, ending into scramble for land, which has developed into conflicts. Land conflicts are numerous and historical in evolution. Deininger (2003) observes that, formal institutions for land administration were often simply super-imposed on traditional structures

without a clear delineation of responsibilities and competences, implying that they lack both outreach and social legitimacy. On the historical perceptive, many land conflicts stem from customary land ownership patterns, lack of clear land demarcations and this has caused serious harm to communities like loss of life. In Mbale, land as a natural resource is of vital importance, particularly true of land ownership and control. It is still a sign of economic power and social standing. The (Bamasaba) have a motto Lweliswa ni Bulamu bwe Bagisu. This implies that land and life are inseparable to the Bamasaba. Balunywa (2008:2) also supplement this opinion to land we come, on land we live and on land we go. Mbale rural households experience land conflicts with relatives, neighbors, landlords, local government, and politicians and of which such conflicts have had significant impact on womens socio-economic aspects as regards land occupancy, right for ownership and usage. Mugambwa (1993: 110) observes that in the centralized and feudalistic kingdoms of Buganda, Ankole, Bunyoro and Toro, the chiefs of various grades were appointed and awarded junks of land. Similarly in Mbale, power was disposed through territorial or clan chiefs, who played a big role in the allocation and distribution of land. Semi Kakugulu estates in Mbale is a testimony, where it now occupies part of Mbale Municipality and Namayonyi Sub-county. Whereas Mugambwa (2002: 9) asserts that land tenure laws are meant to protect the vulnerable members of Society from loss of their access to land for subsistence production, this is not the case in Mbale District where land allocation is based on inheritance by the male sex, with no right of ownership by the female sex. Statistics at the district indicate that about 13.1% of the female legally own land in Mbale. The same is occurring in parts of the western and central region of Uganda, women struggle to own land in case their husbands die with male relative (Odongo, 2006). In Buganda region land belongs to the clan, in case the husband dies the woman has no right to sale or use the land without permission from the clan elders. Land resources being the backbone of the socio-economic wellbeing of most societies in Uganda and Mbale in particular, women have been denied access to its full or partial ownership, despite the fact that they are the principal users. Agricultural activities on land is largely carried out by women; for growing cash and food crops and little surplus is sold to earn an income for the family (Tripp: 2004).

Land conflicts have caused painful suffering to women causing death of their husbands in land wrangles and also being kicked out of their family land when the husbands die (Wamkuyu: 2008). Whereas in the 19th century china had recognized the importance of women in organizing agricultural production from household levels (Lea and Chaudhri 1986: 293), this was aimed at correcting the imbalance in development of rural areas. However, overtime, the issues of land management are being handled lightly. The authorities concerned seem not to be very serious in understanding the negative effects of these conflicts on the individuals and the community at large. The fundamental question at this point is what can be done to prevent the escalating land disputes in Mbale District so as to harmonies development in the district? Whether the complainants of these disputes have ever been attended to, their satisfaction to enable them regains their land ownership, and if not, why is the authority taking time to address such issues? This therefore, has prompted this study to be carried out. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Land is a treasured resource by the community. Population pressure, changes in the land laws (Land Act 1998, and its subsequent amendments 2007), increasing evictions and industrialization and urbanization has created great awareness about land and increasing land conflicts in our communities. Despite government intervention measures like amendment of Land law (amendment 2007) to resolve the imbalances in Land ownership, Local council, courts of law, and police; still land conflicts are on the increase. According to the sub-county Chairperson (LC III) - Bufumbo Sub-county, most of the LCs cases handled are land related. In August 2008, 3 people were killed during the clash on the border boundary between Mbale Budaka as a result of land demarcation (monitor). The case is still with the ministry of land to have a clear boundary. Kituyi (2006) observes that most of the cases reported in LC courts 85% of them are related to land issues). She notes that women are the most affected due to their vulnerability in terms funding required legal fees to settle their cases due to low incomes of most women in Mbale. 10 This study therefore, intends to assess the effects of land conflicts to the livelihood of the women in Mbale district. Secondly, there is no sufficient empirical data to show the effect of land conflicts on the livelihood of the women in Mbale District and as such there is no basis where land conflicts can be handled. Little attention has actually been devoted to the study of land conflicts despite evidence on increasing incidences of such conflicts. It is therefore; against this

background that the researcher will investigate the effects of land conflicts on the livelihood of the people in Mbale district. 1.3 The Objectives of the Study: The study will have both the general and specific objectives 1.3.1 General Objectives: The general objective of the study is to assess the effects of Land Conflicts on the socioeconomic aspects of women in Mbale district. 1.3.2 Specific Objectives: Specifically, the study intends to: i) Examine the causes of land conflicts in Mbale District. ii) Identify consequences of land conflicts that have affected the socio-economic aspects of women in Mbale District iii) Asses the role of Local Councils (LCs) in disposing land disputes in Mbale District. iv) Establish the land tenure system practiced in Mbale district. 1.4 Research Questions. i) What are the causes of land conflicts in Mbale District? ii) What are the consequences of land conflicts that have affected the socio-economic aspects of women in Mbale District? iii) What is the role of Local Councils (LCs) in disposing land disputes in Mbale District? iv) What land tenure system is being practiced in Mbale district? 1.5 The Scope of the Study. This study is restricted to assessing the effects of the land conflicts on the socio-economic aspects of the women in Mbale District with particular emphasis on the causes of land conflicts, consequences and how it has affected women in the district, role of LCs in resolving land disputes and also examine the land tenure system practiced and its effects on the socioeconomic

aspects of women. It will be limited to the period 2000 to 2008, as delimitation to the scope of study for better management and during this period many land conflicts were experienced. This period is optimal to have a clear picture of the land conflicts in Mbale. The study will be carried out in the 6 (six) sub counties out of 14 (fourteen); Mbale district which covers the counties of Mbale Municipality, Bungokho North, and Bungokho South. Mbale district is surrounded by the District of Sironko, Bukedea, Budaka, Butaleja, Tororo and Manafwa District. Land Conflicts Interventions Socio-Economic Effects Land tenure - Government Policies - Loss of income Fighting - Police - Low food production 1.6 Significance of Study o The study is intended to establish how land conflicts have affected the socio-economic aspects of women in Mbale District. o It may also enhance and build a body of knowledge on the Effects of land conflicts on the socio-economic status of women. o Besides these the Research is a partial fulfillment leading to the Award of Master of Arts Degree in Peace, Religion and Conflict Resolution of Islamic University in Uganda and opening up for further future research undertakings. 1.7 The Conceptual Framework Loss of property LCs - Poor housing facilities Inheritance - Courts of law - Marriage breaks Displacement - Tribunals Landless Loss of male members - Land Boards - Widow-ship Independent Variables Intervening Variable Dependent Variables

0100090000037800000002001c00000000000400000003010800050000000b02000000000500 00000c027f02e801040000002e0118001c000000fb021000070000000000bc0200000000010202 2253797374656d0002e80100005af7fb9d283e110004ee833960e8f3050c020000040000002d01 000004000000020101001c000000fb02ceff0000000000009001000000000440001254696d6573 204e657720526f6d616e0000000000000000000000000000000000040000002d0101000500000 00902000000020d000000320a2d0000000100040000000000e8017e0220241600040000002d01 0000030000000000

In the conceptual framework above, the arrows shows the relationships between the various variables. Land conflicts in most communities stem from poor management of the land tenure system practiced, loss of male members in a family, inheritance of the deceased properties land inclusive, inter-clan/tribal clashes. These are some of the causes of land conflicts and have serious effects on the socio-economic aspects on women like loss of income, widow-ship, low food production, becoming landless, poor housing facilities, loss contact with families and also marriage breaks. On the other hand some of the intervention present like government policies, police, LCs, courts of law, land boards and tribunal seem not adequately handle the escalating land conflicts in Mbale district. The majority of the population does not have sufficient; knowledge, policy implementation procedures and the associated costs have scared most people in seeking services of land board and tribunals so as to resolve land conflicts and disputes.

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction This chapter presents literature related to an assessment of the effects of land conflicts on the socio-economic aspects of women. It is divided into four sub-themes; Causes of land Conflicts, consequences of land conflicts and its effects on women in particular, and role of LCs in land dispute settlement. This chapter gives the researcher an idea about the problem and what others have done in the past in order to guide the researcher on how to proceed to investigate the problem. The sources of the literature review included the textbooks, Journals, and other relevant sources. The aim was to equip the researcher with concepts and variables that can improve her understanding of conflicts and their effects. 2.1 Causes of Land Conflicts This sub theme will discuss the causes of land conflicts in communities. Before getting into the intrinsic of the causes of land conflicts in communities, one should understand the meaning of land and its importance to human beings. Land is defined as an area of ground. The statutory definition of land also indicates that the concept of land covers much more than the physical portion of the earths surface (Mugambwa, 2006:50). International Land Coalition (ILC) (2006:2) asserts that the relationships between land and conflict are extraordinarily complex. When it comes to land issues, economics and politics are mixed together with traditions, culture, legal systems and public administration. The roots of conflicts are numerous, including: structural or historically-based inequalities; economic and social policies patterns of growth and development; political or territorial disputes; communities in competition with commercial interest, overlapping jurisdiction among government departments; former landlords and land reforms beneficiaries; and contradictory regulations, such as differences in legal and customary ways of managing or mediating land rights. ILC has extensively summarized the probable causes of land conflicts. What it does not point out is how this has affected the women, yet land conflicts have a disproportionate impact on women since women tend to suffer more than men from weak legal systems, limited institutional capacities and traditional/customary practices.

Garcia (2005:1) Points that land reform policies recently implemented in southern Africa have put the classic debate on land redistribution back on regional agendas at both scientific and political levels. Several circumstantial factors have contributed to this political renaissance of land reform policies in southern Africa, namely Zimbabwes new radical land reform approach, the end of the collapse of the communist regimes in South Africa and Namibia. All these have transformed the land issue from apolitical taboo into a sensitive and controversial, but de facto, operating policy. Whereas these land reform policies are sensitive by design, they do affect the socio economic patterns of life. The motives of these reform are self centered by the perpetuators, for instance in Zimbabwe what was seen as a mere change of ownership through land redistribution to the blacks affected the societies, at local levels and stretched to affect the entire national economy. In Uganda the proposed land reform has sparked off regional resentments that are eventually culminating into tribal conflicts. Tesfaye (2004:2) comments that there are several cases of environmentally induced disputes and conflicts in different parts of the country. Disputes and conflicts arise for example over parental land, returnees claiming ancestral or original land, migrants encroaching on indigenous land and sharing of common resources(i.e. common grazing , water and forest resources).While there is no strong empirical evidence, there is a reason to believe that the frequency and as well as the intensity of conflicts have increased over time. In Uganda for instance this has happened in those governments gazetted areas like Mount Elgon where there is occupation of the forest park, in the North-east the Karimojongs and the Itesots have had endless battles that are sometimes fatal because of grazing and water for their animals. 2.2 Identify consequence of land conflicts and how it has affected women. All land conflicts, no matter how peaceful or violent they are, produce negative consequences for individual people as well as for the entire society. Many families across the world have seen their shelters their homes being bulldozed out of existence. And in Africa, many daily experience the selling of their property by someone else who also claims to be the owner. The social welfare policies adopted by NRM government brought improvement of Uganda womens status relative to education, health and nutrition and labour force participation. Nonetheless, gender inequities persist. Women still have low political participation; relatively few women have access to higher levels of decision making in the public and private sectors and violence against women and rights violations have surfaced (Wijayatilake, 2004). Wehrmann (2008:22) observes that whenever there is a land conflict, someone suffers economic

consequences. In extreme but not rare situations, people find themselves landless and/or without shelter. In the case of a farmer, this often includes the loss of his/her production 17 base. But thats not all. Where there are many land conflicts, social stability within society is affected, as land conflicts undermine trust and increase fear and suspicion often between formerly close people such as neighbours and family members. Violent land conflicts or simply the fear of becoming a victim of them can also have a traumatizing effect on those who are or feel at risk. In addition, whenever state land is allocated illegally it generally affects the nations budget negatively and often results in ecological destruction or social exclusion. Still other consequences of land conflicts are unorganized, unstructured land development and the subsequent additional costs for infrastructure provision. The costs of these have to be borne by the entire society. Tripp (2004: 43) acknowledges that land ownership conflicts have negative effects on individual households as well as on the nations economy. They increase costs, slow down investment, can result in the loss of property for a conflict party and reduce tax income (land tax, trade/commercial tax) for the state or municipality. Conflicts over the use of land generally have a negative impact on the poor or on the natural or building environment. They either decrease quality of life for parts of society or, if they are addressed and ameliorated, contribute to additional state expenditures and therefore have an impact on the national wealth (Wehrmann, 2008:42). Land conflicts also increase social and political instability. Where ever there occur a lot of multiple sales, evictions, land grabbing etc., people lose confidence in the state and start mistrusting each other. Social and political stability suffers even more when land conflicts are accompanied by violence. Dealing with land conflicts therefore also means to reestablishing trust and confidence in public as well as private institutions. 18 Kariuki (2005) stress that land conflicts affect different groups in different ways like having a stronger impact on the livelihood of the poor than that of the rich, but they also impact differently on men and women, urban and rural populations, farmers and pastoralists etc., with groups such as squatters, ethnic minorities or orphans being extremely marginalized. 2.3 Asses the role of Local Councils (LCs) in disposing land disputes. Garcia (2005:6) observes that the political pressures and the social imbalances created by the skewed distribution of land have led local governments to devote themselves to land redistribution.

According to Land Act, 1998, Section 98 as amended by the Land (amendment) Act 2007, courts, other than High Court, ceased to have jurisdiction over land disputes. Each District, subcounty, gazetted urban area must have Land Tribunals (see ss 75, 76, 81, and 82) and all members are to be appointed by the judicial service commission. Mugambwa (2002:106) observes that the District Land Tribunals have jurisdiction over land disputes relating to the grant, lease, repossession, transfer or acquisition of land. They also have jurisdiction over amounts of compensation, and hear cases on appeal from sub-county land tribunals. Ibid (2002:115) asserts that an unanticipated consequence of the Land Act has been 19 the short-term adverse impact on the rate of dispute settlement due to failure to activate the land tribunals. However, it is reasonable to assume that this has had some adverse economic impact in terms of output foregone on disputed land and probably, some increase in the costs arising from injury to persons. According to a study of the Land Tribunals, the involvement of the Provincial administration in land issues continue to work against the aims of the Tribunals (Okuro 2002). The average estimated costs required to approach the elders and chiefs, although lower than those required for the Land Tribunal and the Court, remain an obstacle for women with severely limited resources, which are also those who are most vulnerable to land insecurity and disputes. In conclusion then, both the formal and the informal dispute resolution channels are inaccessible to the women who are likely to have land disputes because their cost is too high. (Henrysson and Joireman1, 2005: 18). 2.4 Establish the Land Tenure System Practiced. Today in Africa, external and internal forces variously advocate retaining the status quo, overhauling the whole system, or amending some aspects of land tenure in light of rapidly changing realities. These changing realities range from the interest in creating a market for land to the push towards democracy, and from land insecurity to social effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The bottom line is that each of these realities is eroding women's precarious land rights. Uganda is a predominantly agricultural country, and land is the most important resource of the people and the country as a whole. Due to the importance attach to land, there is need to 20 reduce, if possible eliminate future conflicts erupt from time and again, because of the rise in population pressure (Breyer et-al 1991).

Rugadya (2003) points out that until 1900; the prevalent mode of land tenure in Uganda was customary tenure. This meant that customary rules of about 140 major ethnic groupings governed access to, utilization of and parting with land in a given ethnic area. Land relations in pre-colonial

oligarchy in which political power in society was exclusively vested. Security of tenure for land users was based on continuous loyalty to that oligarchy. The payment of tribute in the form of produce and gifts was norm and a requirement as evidence of that loyalty, mainly in the kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga and Toro. However, ibid (2003) further notes that the current land tenure reforms were essentially introduced by the 1995 Constitution and operationalised by the Land Act, 1998. That Constitution abolished the Land Reform Decree and restored the systems of land tenure that was in existence at independence. These were re-stated as customary land tenure, freehold tenure, leasehold tenure and Mailo tenure. It made new and radical changes in the relationships between the State and the land in Uganda. It declared that land in Uganda would henceforth belong to the citizens of Uganda and vest in them in accordance with the land tenure systems outlined above. It set up a new system of land administration consisting of Land Boards in every district, Although the Uganda Land Commission was re-established, the Constitution made it clear that District Land Boards were to operate independently of that Commission and was not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. They were, however, expected to take account of national and district council policy on land. Marcos (2003:2) notes that ever since the first attempt to record customary land law during the colonial period, a tension has persisted between the desire to codify this law in a simple and readily identifiable set of rules and the ever-evolving practice of this law, which is based on hotly contested traditions. Locally derived meanings attached to land and resources are perhaps best understood in terms of a set of rights, and no generalized land codification is likely to reflect the complexity and fluidity of this understanding. What is clear is that customary land laws are not always readily identifiable or consensually determined. What becomes law reflects the relative economic and political power of competing interest groups and individuals. What Marcos does not bring out is how the customary laws affected women has socially and economically, especially in Mbale where women depend on land for their livelihood. Tripp (2000) states that in Uganda, women play a key role in food production, involved in the cultivation of cash crops and the value-added processing of food while continuing to ensure that

the subsistence needs of their families are met. Until the new Constitution came into effect, women were treated as minors under the law, without adult legal status or rights, and in most Ugandan communities women do not own land. Although, conveniently enough, women are permitted to till the land to produce crops, they have no right to plant perennial crops or use the land as collateral unless they secure male permission. Women's labour has become even more significant under Uganda's current agricultural policy to expand non-agricultural exports. The above situation was comfortably being observed by women, without raising any question on their status, until the NRM government came to power. Women enjoyed well-defined and inalienable rights to this property attached to their houses, and had recourse in law when men violated those rights. Based on this principle, most 22 customary courts affirmed that once property had been gifted or assigned to a wife, it could not be taken away, and husbands who tried to sell land or transfer it to a new wife were rebuked. Moreover, the customary law of succession allowed widows to inherit ownership rights in matrimonial homes and land, and to share in the distribution of the deceased man's personal property. (Khadiagala 2001: 61) Odoki (1992) report of Uganda constitutional commission, argues out that some land tenure systems promote Socio economic development better than others. There could then be need to contribute a good tenure policy that would ensure a fair and equitable allocation of land among the citizens, at the same time preserving its capacity to satisfy the present and future generations. Ndeye (2005) observes that, 80% of all legal disputes brought before the courts in Burundi, those within the family over inheritance rights feature a higher percentage. Unlike in Rwanda, the government promulgated on inheritance law, that gave equal inheritance rights to both males and females, children to inherit their parents; land property (Kimonyo, 2005)

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.0 Introduction This chapter is devoted to the methodology of the study in which the; Research design, sample size, sampling techniques, instruments of data collection and methods of data analysis are discussed. 3.1 Research Design The study will be descriptive. This will give a clear picture of the study under investigation. A qualitative approach will be adopted to produce the descriptive data to assesses the effects of land conflicts on the socio-economic status of women in Mbale District 3.2 Study Population The study population shall consist of; the three counties viz Mbale Municipality, Bungokho North and Bungokho South. Six (6) Sub-counties will be selected from fourteen (14) subcounties in, Members of the District and Sub-county Land tribunals, women groups, LCs members in the selected sub-counties, and Members of Land Boards and at the District will form the study population of this research undertaking. 3.3 Sample Size The table below gives a summary the sample size on the study under investigation. Table of Respondents S /no 1 2 3 4 5 Respondent Estimated Total Sampled Size 5 25 30 8 60 128 Members of District Land Tribunals 5 Members of Sub-county Land 40 Tribunals Women Groups Land Board Members Selected Village LCs Totals 50 14 110 128 3.4 Sampling Techniques Random sampling will be used in selecting samples from sub-counties, women groups, Village LCs and Members of Sub-county Land Tribunals. The lottery method will be employed in selecting the required samples from the Village LCs, Land Board Members. A list of all the Village LCs, Members of Land Boards and Tribunals and Women Groups will be drawn, in the Mbale District. 3.5 Data Collection Methods Primary data will be collected by use of direct personal interviews, self-administered questionnaire, and group discussions.

Secondary data will also be employed. Review of the available literature on the effects of land conflicts that affect the socio-economic status of women either published or unpublished will explored. Journals, Periodicals, newspaper and on-line resources like internet will also form 25 part of the secondary 3.5.1 Questionnaires The Questionnaire will be the main instrument in data collection. Questionnaire is preferred because it could collect information from a large sample in a very short time. It is very reliable method as the respondents give objective answers since they usually feel free without prejudice when filling them. The questionnaires will contain both open and closed-ended items and will be used to collect information from the Women Groups, and Members of Sub-county Land Tribunals in Mbale District. 3.5.2 Interviews This method will be employed to collect information from Members of Land Boards, and Land Tribunals in Mbale District. This is aimed at collecting technical application information and challenges facing them in settling land disputes that have culminated into serious conflicts affecting many people and particularly the women. 3.5.3 Focused Group Discussion This method will be employed to gather data from Village Local Council Member. This is due to their limited capacity to answer questionnaires or have a smooth interview session with them because of their low education levels. 3.5.4 Observation This method will also be used in collecting data from the field. Observation will be made from 26 attending local council courts related to land dispute settlements. Clan sitting will be attended to enable the researcher to understand how land disputes arise and are disposed in the traditional manner. 3.6. Data Quality Control 3.6.1 Reliability A test-retest method will be used to ensure that there reliability in the data collected despite repeatedly use of a particular technique to the same object. This will also involve the same measurement more than once thus administering the same test repeatedly. 3.6.2 Validity Any measuring instrument is said to be valid when it measures what it purports to measure. Measurement of validity will be done through content validity whereby the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings within the study will be made. These will include stakeholders participation, dispute settlement mechanisms, service delivery and land allocations in Mbale District.

3.7

Data Processing and Analysis Data will be edited, coded, classified and tabulated with a view of reducing it to manageable proportions. SPSS computer software will be employed to analyze data and interpretation in order drawn conclusions.

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