Indigenous Land Rights and Contentious Politics in Africa: The Case of Uganda

Abstract

Abstract This article uses a case study of Uganda to examine the contentious politics surrounding Indigenous land rights in contemporary Africa, notably regarding the right to ‘free, prior and informed consent’ (FPIC). Drawing upon insights from recent fieldwork, it contrasts the diverse struggles of two of Uganda's most prominent Indigenous groups. Whereas the Batwa constitute a small group of (traditionally) hunter-gatherers from the southwestern District of Kisoro (and surrounding areas) who have low capacity to challenge the state, the Karamojong are a much larger group of agro-pastoralists from the northeastern region of Karamoja who have a long history of conflict and opposition to the central government. These cases highlight the diverging capacities of groups to protect their traditional lands, yet their shared struggle to secure both legal recognition as Indigenous and their right to FPIC from a hostile government. Given the obstacles facing these groups and the potential for FPIC to deepen cleavages between—and within—communities, the article concludes with some reflections for advancing the rights of Uganda's Indigenous peoples without enflaming the divisive identity politics that can accompany Indigenous land rights movements in certain political contexts.