The effect of land conflict on food security in refugee settlements: a case study of Oliji refugee settlement, Uganda

Abstract

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in refugee settlements in Uganda. This study examined the effect of land conflict on food security among refugees in Oliji refugee settlement, in Northern Uganda. Uganda has a progressive self-reliance policy for refugees, but land-based conflicts continue to undermine food availability and stability within refugee settlements. Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected from both refugees and host community members using observation, semi-structured interviews (142), focus group discussions (3) and key informant interviews (14). Findings revealed that crop farming is a major source of livelihood with over 68% of the responds practicing it. The most common nature and occurance of land conflict was destruction of land owners’ livestock and this was reported by 72.4% of the respondents. Awareness of the self-reliance policy was reported by 71% of the respondents. However, only 5% of the respondents were classified as self-reliant, relying on their own food sources rather support agencies like United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and World Food Programme. Furthermore, land conflicts were shown to negatively impact the food security. Households that had experienced land conflict had a significantly lower mean Food Consumption Score of 29.54 (borderline range), compared to those who had not experienced land conflict with a mean Food Consumption Score of 40.74 (acceptable range). Indicating that exposure to land-based conflicts was associated with increased food insecurity. The study concludes that without strengthened conflict resolution mechanisms and enhanced support for self-reliance through agriculture, improvements on food security will remain difficult to achieve. The findings are intended to inform the various stakeholders involved in refugee management and policy formulation particularly in relation to land access, conflict mediation and food security