LAND

The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) defines four systems of land tenure for the country – freehold, leasehold, mailo,21

in Uganda is the most essential pillar of human live- lihood and national development.22

and customary. Land It is a critical

foundation for many livelihoods due to its contribu- tion to agriculture and the national economy.

However, massive land use changes without req- uisite land management planning pose significant socioeconomic and environmental threats. Land degradation is highlighted as the greatest con- tributor to the annual cost of environmental deg- radation, largely manifested in soil nutrient loss through soil erosion.23

Scientific studies indicate

that Uganda loses about 11 percent of its Gross Na- tional Income per annum as a result of excessive soil erosion alone.24

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