Stories of Change: From Protest to Progress — The Paten Clan’s Fight for Land Rights 

In Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine Rift region, development has brought both opportunity and challenge. Large-scale infrastructure and agricultural projects promise economic growth, but they also raise serious concerns around displacement, environmental degradation, and land rights. For many rural and Indigenous communities, these developments have led to land grabs, forced evictions, and the erosion of traditional ways of life, frequently without adequate consultation, consent or fair compensation. 

Thanks to the tireless efforts of grassroots organisations like the Buliisa Initiative for Rural Development Organisation (BIRUDO), however, affected communities are becoming increasingly equipped to defend their rights—and win. 

From Youth-Led Beginnings to National Advocacy 

Founded in 2006 by a group of young Ugandans determined to fight poverty and equality, BIRUDO has grown into a trusted advocate for environmental justice, human rights, and good governance. A KIOS grantee since 2019, the organisation works to improve food security, income, health, and land governance for vulnerable and rural communities. 

Through the KIOS-supported project “Promoting Land Rights and Access to Justice in Uganda’s Albertine Region” (2019–2024), BIRUDO has conducted extensive community outreach, legal education, and advocacy. It has empowered women to claim and protect their land rights, trained local leaders on land governance frameworks, and facilitated peaceful resolution of land disputes. 

A renewed grant for 2025–2026 ensures that this essential work will not only continue, but also expand in scale and reach. 

 

Supporting the Paten Clan: A Landmark Case in Land Rights 

One of the most impactful examples of BIRUDO’s work is the case of the Paten Indigenous clan in Pakwach District. 

In 2021, the Paten community protested against the Wadelai irrigation project, which had begun operations on their land without their consent. The protests were violently suppressed by Uganda Police and Uganda People Defence forces, resulting in injuries and fear. KIOS reported on the attacks as well as the impact on the Paten clan back in December 2021. 

Fortunately, BIRUDO was able to step in and offer legal and strategic support. The organisation helped the Paten clan file a civil suit in Uganda’s High Court in Arua and also assisted in submitting a complaint to the Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) of the African Development Bank (AfDB), funding the Wadelai irrigation project. In parallel, BIRUDO organised community meetings, helped document the violations, and trained local leaders to understand and defend their land rights. 

 

 

Although the civil suit was dismissed in February 2025 on jurisdictional grounds, the Paten clan—supported by BIRUDO—has filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal in Kampala. Meanwhile, the IRM investigation concluded in 2022 with a ruling in favour of the Paten clan, recognising significant failures in how the Wadelai project was implemented. 

Funding for the Wadelai irrigation project was suspended in June 2023 due to continuous violations of the Paten clan’s rights. On 14th of December 2024, a mediation agreement was signed between the Paten clan and the Ugandan government, represented by the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Pakwach District Local Government. While the work is far from over, the progress made so far marks a powerful step forward in defending community land rights and holding institutions accountable. 

 

 

Lasting Impact and Community Empowerment 

The Paten clan case exemplifies how BIRUDO’s community-centred approach—combining legal empowerment and literacy, dialogue facilitation, strategic advocacy and grassroots mobilisation—can deliver tangible results. The organisation’s legal team and trained community volunteers have helped strengthen access to justice and build trust between affected communities and state institutions. More importantly, BIRUDO’s work has enabled communities to take ownership of their struggles and actively participate in shaping solutions. 

Beyond legal victories, BIRUDO has helped foster a deeper awareness of land rights and environmental justice across the region. Clan leaders, women, and youth who were once sidelined in decision-making processes are now engaging directly with local authorities and holding them accountable. Mediation and alternative dispute resolution are being used more frequently, and referral pathways for legal aid are increasingly being followed. 

 

 

Looking Ahead 

With new support from KIOS for 2025–2026, BIRUDO is continuing to provide legal aid, facilitate dialogues between communities and duty-bearers, and push for inclusive development practices that respect human rights. The next phase of the project will deepen engagement with district governments, broaden access to legal services, and explore new ways to integrate environmental protection with social justice. 

In the words of BIRUDO’s Executive Director Paolyel, this work is about “putting the community at the centre of solving their problems” and empowering people to protect the land, resources, and futures that matter most to them. 

More information about BIRUDO and their work:  https://birudo.org/  

KIOS has supported BIRUDO’s work since 2019 with funding from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation.