On February 12, NCSC participated in a Great Lakes Policy Forum event on Land Tenure, Conflict, and Marginalization, convened by Search for Common Ground and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.
The discussion featured NCSC Chief of Party, Jennifer Ober, and Albert Gomez Mugumya of USAID’s Supporting Access to Justice, Fostering Equity and Peace (SAFE) Program in Uganda, and Elizabeth Ramey of the Wilson Center.
Speakers addressed the issues complicating access to justice for marginalized groups in Uganda, including the inefficient land tenure systems, extractive industry activity, and rapid population growth.
During the Q&A sessions, participants highlighted the growing demand for sustainability by the beneficiaries and the need for strengthened coordination between government and other agencies, which SAFE responds to by empowering local actors and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
The forum was well attended including the acknowledged presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the United States, H.E. Oliver Wonekha and representatives from civil society, various governments and international institutions.
NCSC is present in Uganda as implementing partner of USAID for the Supporting Access to Justice, Fostering Equity and Peace (SAFE) Program, a 5-year initiative to empower vulnerable groups and promote reconciliation and peace-building in conflict-affected districts throughout the country. The program is implemented in partnership with Search for Common Ground and numerous local partners.
