LASPNET HOLDS PRE- AGM CONFERENCE ON LAND JUSTICE AND ELECTS NEW BOARD AT ITS 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
- 02 November 2016 -
- Written by Laspnet
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Ms.Rebecca Apio from LANDNET who presented a paper on the “proposed land amendment in the context of increasing poverty, vulnerability and marginalization”, noted that; lack of respect for customary land owners makes them vulnerable to land grabbing and that; the decentralized land administration structures lack the necessary capacity to execute their mandate and are in some instances not legally constituted. She recommended sensitization of communities on their land rights, making the amendment process a consultative one to reduce anxiety and proper adherence to laws during implementation.
While discussing the presentation, Dr.Rose Nakayi from Makerere University called on participants to question who these developments were for and not merely the cost; the over modification of the law on compensation while ignoring other non-physical benefits, the limited tools in place to allow the poor to negotiate and the stereotype that customary land is less, among other issues. She noted that it was difficult to talk about vulnerability and marginalization without discussing discrimination, an issue that was anchored in the 1995 Constitution and needed quick but efficient redress. She concluded by cautioning against the many legal reforms without due consideration of resettlement and rehabilitation of victims as well as the projectization of issues in the land sector while disregarding sustainability of such interventions.
As the Conference drew to a close, participants agreed that for the proposed amendments to be effective, they had to be all inclusive and not just in favour of the wealthy minority. They also expressed reservation on its relevance and thought strengthening the current legal framework like the land Act and regulation would be more appropriate .They welcomed the Minister’s commitment to support the call for enactment of the NLAP and agreed as a Network to participate in implementation of the land policy.
Election of new Board and handover of IIMS Mini Servers
On the same day, the Network also convened its 7th Annual General Meeting to discuss the annual progress report of the organization and to elect a new Board of Directors.
The progress report highlighted the increased participation of members in the Network’s events, new projects, the various capacity building opportunities for the members, lobbying and advocacy interventions, many of which had generated improved visibility for LASPNET, like the media campaign calling on government to fast track the enactment of the National Legal Aid Policy, key researches, legal rapid response during the 2016 national elections and the peer exchange visits to members, among others.
Members appreciated the outgoing Board and the Secretariat team for a steering the Network to a more accountable and visible entity and for implementing the recommendations of the previous AGM.
During the deliberations, Ms. Theodora Webale proposed the use of locally trained lawyers from within the membership during annual events like the Trial Advocacy training so as to reduce on the cost of external facilitators.
While discussing the issue of gender representation on the Board, most members agreed that representation should be based on skills and ability to serve regardless of one’s gender.
The AGM also approved as honorary members: Justice Remmy Kasule, the Chairperson of the Uganda Law Council, Ms. Theo Webale, the Access to Justice Advisor, USAID/SAFE and Mr. Musa Modoi, the Advisor Human Rights and Accountability at JLOS.
