1. Paper prepared for presentation at the
PILOTING THE PROTECTION OF CUSTOMARY LAND RIGHTS IN ACHOLILAND: A RESEARCH PROJECT OF THE JOINT ACHOLI SUB-REGIONAL LEADERS’ FORUM (JASLF) AND TRÓCAIRE
RONALD ATKINSON
JAMES LATIGO
EMMET BERGEN
Paper prepared for presentation at the
“2017 WORLD BANK CONFERENCE ON LAND AND POVERTY”
The World Bank - Washington DC, March 20-24, 2017

3. Introduction: Broad Context
: War & displacement
2008: Beginning return to the land; land disputes & other problems
2012: Joint Acholi Sub-regional Leaders’ Forum (JASLF)
July 2015: JASLF in partnership with Trόcaire begin implementation of the initial pilot phase of the current project
Historical land tenure in Acholi: customary, communal land

4. Pilot project field research (Dec 2015-April 2016)
Methodology
Sample size & site selection
4 major research tools
Chiefdom-wide focus group discussions (FGDs) – 7 in number, c. 300 total participants.
Clan-based FGDs – 46 in number, more than 1500 total participants.
“Special interest group” FGDs, focusing on those in potentially or actually vulnerable categories or situations, such as widows, divorced women, orphans, “guests” or people with disabilities – administered in 39 of 46 clans.
Key Informant Interviews with local clan & community elders, opinion leaders, & government officials.
Select Key Findings
Summary Recommendations