By Werwe Huzaifah
Journalists and communicators from across Uganda have been trained on a transformative experience in land rights and agroecology reporting as part of the 5th Cohort of the Agroecology School, a project of ESAFF Uganda.
These journalists went through hands-on training in agroecological practices at Alwana Natural Farm in Mukono district where they learnt to make biofertilizers and biopesticides, and actively participating in eco-farming activities.
Stella Rose Akutui, Policy and Research Officer at ESAFF Uganda, called on journalists to play a crucial role in sensitizing communities on land rights especially on issues of public concern, such as unlawful evictions and illegal land grabs, to ensure that victims receive justice.
Stella Rose AkutuiIrene Nakijoba, a small-scale farmer, shares her inspiring story, saying, before agroecology training, their soils were poor, and yields were low, leading to food shortages. Now, they able to feed on organic food.
She adds that the land rights and agroecology training will empower small-scale farmers to protect their land and farming activities from unknown evictions.
Nakijoba believes that women play a crucial role in the agricultural sector, yet they face numerous challenges accessing the resources they need, like land, Seed, markets and general skills that could help them improve their productivity and income.
Ms. Okot Christine, ESAFF Uganda member from who suffered land eviction commended the organization for it's endless efforts to sensitize vulnerable Ugandans especially women on land rights.
She recalls how she suffered before joining ESAFF.
“I suffered for many years with my 7 children after my husband’s death. My in-laws wanted to throw me out of our home and land with my children because I was a widow. I reported the case to the police severally, but I was never pardoned. Through the different land rights community awareness events organised by ESAFF Uganda, I managed to win back my land and i am freely occupying it,” She said.
During the trainings, Ronald Bagaga, ESAFF Uganda's Programs Manager, is urged journalists to continuously report on land rights issues, highlighting the disparity between law and reality reiterating that despite the 1995 Constitution and 2013 Land Policy guaranteeing equality in owning and accessing natural resources, women face customary barriers. He encourages journalists to craft inspiring stories that spark justice, shift mindsets, and drive change.
With these put right small-scale farmers are assured that the land belongs to them and they can confidently invest in agroecological farming methods such as agroforestry, composting and crop rotation.
In most parts of the country, where land Rights knowledge is limited, farmers risk losing their land.
Journalists called on policymakers to prioritize land tenure reforms and to integrate land rights into agricultural and environmental policies, to address climate resilience and sustainable development.
ESAFF Uganda is continuing to empower journalists, communities and duty bearers through organizing community events, policy influencing events and grassroots campaigns on land rights in communities.
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