Factors influencing livelihood restoration post-resettlement: a case study of Kyenjojo-Kabwoya road project in Uganda

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing livelihood restoration among individuals displaced by the 100 km Kyenjojo-Kabwoya road project in western Uganda, focusing on the economic, physical, and social impacts post-resettlement. Utilizing a mixed research design, data were collected from 129 respondents through structured interviews and analysed using SPSS for quantitative analysis and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. The findings reveal that economic impacts, particularly loss of land, crops, and income, were most pronounced among the project affected people. Despite compensation efforts, significant discrepancies in compensation adequacy were identified, echoing concerns from previous studies about undervaluation and inadequate compensation for permanent crops and trees. Physical impacts included substantial damage to residential and business structures, albeit with high rates of restoration post-compensation. Socially, minimal disruption to social networks was observed due to the partial displacement nature of the project, enabling continued community ties. However, challenges persisted in the valuation and compensation processes, undermining effective livelihood restoration efforts. It is there recommended that there is need for enhancement compensation policies to reflect true asset values, improving community engagement strategies, and providing comprehensive post-compensation support to ensure sustainable livelihoods. It is also recommended that future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impacts of resettlement, evaluate different compensation models, and explore the role of social networks in enhancing resilience among displaced populations.