Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) Local Government Development and Service Delivery Program Final Report

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Government of Uganda requested the World Bank for support for the successor program to the Local Government Development Program II (LGDP II). It is proposed that the successor program will be named the Local Government Development and Service Delivery Program (LGDSDP). It is planned that LGDSDP will finance public services through the Local Development Grant (LDG) from Central Government to LGS. LDG will be used by LGS and communities to finance sub-projects for which they are mandated as provided for under the Second Schedule of the Local Governments Act. It is envisaged that these sub-projects will involve the construction of facilities such as water supply, sanitation, storm water drainage, primary education, primary health care, roads (mostly community access roads and feeder roads), solid waste management and agriculture extension as well as extension of rural electricity networks to communities. Within the provisions of the LDG, LGS in northern Uganda that have been going through a period of insurgency over the last 20 years will be supported to provide services to the population that has experienced insurgency. However, the sub-projects of the future program, apart from those for component 1, are demand driven and can only be known once the target group/beneficiaries have known their budget envelope and set their priorities. Hence, at the time of the preparation of the new program now in the offing, these sub-projects have not yet been identified. Nevertheless, land acquisition, compensation and resettlement of people seem inevitable for certain categories of sub-projects. This is a social issue of critical concern to Government and the World Bank as its impact on poverty if left unmitigated, is negative, immediate and can be wide spread. In addition to putting in place safeguards against environment degradation, Government, LGs and other stakeholders will keep an eye on involuntary resettlement of the people. Hence efforts will be made in the design and screening of sub-projects to avoid impact on people, land and property including peoples' access to natural and other economic resources. During the design of LGDP II, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) was prepared by Government and approved by the Bank in compliance with the Bank's safeguard policies, in this case, the Involuntary Resettlement Operational Policy 4.12. This framework sets the guidelines for the resettlement plans that would. have to be prepared for any sub-project that triggers this policy. This policy is triggered when a sub-project causes the involuntary taking of land and other assets resulting in relocation or loss of shelter; loss of assets or access to assets; and loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location. The RPF sets out the guidelines for the resettlement plans that would have to be prepared for any sub-project that triggers this policy. The resettlement plans will have to be submitted to the LGS Technical Planning Committee for approval but would also have to be approved by the Bank before the sub-projects are financed. Hence, during the annual LGs planning process, sub-projects will be subjected to a review, appraisal and approval by the LG Technical Planning committee in respect to displacement and involuntary resettlement of people, loss of assets or access to assets and loss of income sources or means of livelihood. The Government of Uganda has updated and revised the RPF that will prevail during the implementation of the LGDSDP. This document details the revised RPF.