Strategies for improving land management in Buwalasi Seventh-day Adventist Church, Eastern Uganda Field

Abstract

Land in rural Bugisu sub-region is acquired and disposed of through customary tenure. The customs seem to favor the individuals more than the institutions. The Buwalasi Seventh-day Adventist Church District has been severely affected by unceasing land wrangles which has contributed to the slowing of the mission work. The unavailability of guidelines and recommendations relating to the acquisition of land for church activities persist as a problem. The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for improving land management for the Buwalasi Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used as the main instruments for data collection. The level of land management by the church was found to be low meaning that the church leadership did not manage well the church land as expressed in statistical value where Mean(𝑋̅) = 1.93; SD 0.75. As a result of the study, church members in Buwalasi SDA church learnt numerous issues pertaining to land. Some of them who were customary land holders gained insight and started the process of acquiring customary certificates of occupancy. The interventions and the recommendation pointed to the need for the church to: 1. Establish clear landmarks through planting of trees in the boundaries; 2. The Church Board to embark on the process of registering the lands through the government office of land; 3. Sensitize Buwalasi Seventh-day Adventist Church members and the district churches on processes required to secure the mission lands.