{"id":8046,"date":"2025-10-22T16:54:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=8046"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:34:09","slug":"regional-phd-workshop-on-land-inequality-ends-at-makerere-students-gear-up-for-fieldwork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/regional-phd-workshop-on-land-inequality-ends-at-makerere-students-gear-up-for-fieldwork\/","title":{"rendered":"Regional PhD Workshop on Land Inequality Ends at Makerere: Students Gear Up for Fieldwork"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scholars from Uganda, Kenya, and Germany conclude intensive LARLIREA training with renewed commitment to collaborative research and data collection across East Africa<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A three-day regional PhD workshop under the Land Acquisitions and Land Raising Inequalities in Rural East Africa (LARLIREA) Project concluded at Makerere University on Thursday, October 16, 2025, with participants expressing readiness to embark on data collection in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held in a blended format at the School of Social Sciences Smart Room, the workshop brought together research teams from Makerere University, Kenyatta University, and Germany\u2019s Th\u00fcnen Institute. It sought to harmonize fieldwork methodologies, strengthen team collaboration, and deepen understanding of the links between land acquisition, wealth accumulation, and inequality across East Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Resty Naiga: \u201cStudents are now fully equipped for fieldwork\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Resty Naiga, Principal Investigator for Makerere University, said the workshop successfully equipped students with the tools and shared understanding needed for the upcoming field activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring these three days, we brought together all the research teams – the three PIs from Germany, Kenya, and Uganda, along with the PhD and master\u2019s students from the three countries,\u201d Dr. Naiga said. \u201cThe purpose was to prepare the students for fieldwork and to empower them to talk together and develop a common understanding of key concepts such as land acquisition and land inequality, and how these can be measured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Resty Naiga Makerere PI making the closing remarks<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She explained that participants were trained in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and management, and developed joint strategies for collaboration. \u201cThe workshop gave students a chance to agree on how to work together in the field and even develop joint publications,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Naiga added that the principal investigators had also agreed on shared research themes to sustain collaboration beyond the LARLIREA project\u2019s official end in 2027. \u201cNow that the workshop has ended, the next step is fieldwork,\u201d she confirmed. \u201cTeams in Uganda and Kenya will collect data in Kalangala and Nwoya (Uganda) and Nakuru and Naivasha (Kenya). The German team has already arrived for field activities in Uganda.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Raphael Kweyu: \u201cCollaboration is our strength in addressing shared land challenges\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Raphael Kweyu, Principal Investigator from Kenyatta University, commended the workshop for nurturing collaboration among the partner institutions and participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to have been part of this workshop,\u201d he said. \u201cThe keynote speech by Lorin from the Uganda Land Coalition highlighted land governance struggles that mirror what we face in Kenya. It shows we share common challenges, but also common opportunities as East Africans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr Rapheal Kweyu Kenyan PI delivering the closing remarks<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He underscored that the ultimate goal of the research goes beyond academic qualifications. \u201cOur objective is not just to earn degrees, but to contribute to change – to engage with policymakers and propose solutions that can help us improve land governance in East Africa,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kweyu praised Makerere University for its hospitality and lauded the team\u2019s ability to harmonize ideas. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve met as a full team, and we developed a working definition for land inequality, despite coming from diverse academic and regional backgrounds. That\u2019s a huge achievement,\u201d he said, adding with a smile, \u201cI\u2019ve even enjoyed my favorite Ugandan snack – gonja<\/em>! So thank you, Makerere, for the warm welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students\u2019 Reflections: \u201cWe\u2019ve grown stronger, closer, and more confident for the field\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students\u2019 reflections captured the spirit of collaboration, learning, and gratitude that characterized the three-day workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representing students from the North, Muder Anika from Germany said the workshop provided both intellectual depth and team bonding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis workshop was really well organized,\u201d she said. \u201cWe gained so many interesting insights – from conceptual discussions to methodological training. It was a good mix of content and practical sessions, and the teamwork brought us much closer together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A student representative from the North delivering a vote of thanks<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She added that the workshop helped participants reflect on their academic growth and readiness for field research. \u201cIt showed us where we stand now compared to last year, and how much we\u2019ve progressed. We\u2019ve learned new things, refined our approaches, and are now better prepared for fieldwork. I\u2019m really looking forward to going out there and applying what we\u2019ve learned,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining virtually from Kenya, Vivian  Chepkemoi, representing students from the South, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity and the inclusivity of the event.
\u201cThank you so much to the organizers for making this possible,\u201d she said. \u201cEven though I joined remotely, I still learned a lot and benefited greatly. I\u2019ve seen how much fun and learning my colleagues had \u2014 the exchange of ideas, the teamwork, the discussions \u2014 and I\u2019m so grateful to have been part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vivian Chepkemoi speaking online<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chepkemoi  thanked Dr. Naiga, the organizing team, and Makerere University for creating a platform that fosters collaboration and academic growth. \u201cThis forum has shown us the importance of working together across countries. It will help us realize the project\u2019s objectives and strengthen our partnerships even beyond the research. I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues for keeping me updated and involved throughout. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you,\u201d she said with warmth, signing off with a cheerful, \u201cAsante sana!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LARLIREA Project, launched in September 2023 with funding from the Volkswagen Foundation, is a collaborative initiative between Makerere University, Kenyatta U<\/strong>niversity, and Germany\u2019s Th\u00fcnen Institute. It explores how large-scale land acquisitions influence inequality and wealth distribution in rural East Africa, while training the next generation of scholars to engage in evidence-based policy reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the workshop concluded, the prevailing sentiment among participants was one of gratitude, unity, and anticipation. The three-day engagement not only strengthened academic and methodological capacity but also reinforced a collective commitment to research that can shape more equitable land governance across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n