1.0 Introduction

The right to own property is foundational to the enjoyment of all other human rights. Property facilitates access to shelter, food security, income generation, education, health, and overall social well-being. Deprivation of property—especially land—leads to
homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, and the erosion of livelihoods. As George Washington aptly stated, “Freedom and property rights are inseparable. You can't have one without the other.”

At Advocates for Natural Resources and Development (ANARDE), we believe that natural resource exploitation must not undermine the rights of citizens, particularly communities directly affected by large-scale development projects. Our Legal Aid and Extractive Justice Program, with support from the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD), and in partnership with Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), has been at the forefront of protecting these rights.

In this context, we spearheaded the filing of a constitutional petition to defend landowners in Kasinyi Village, Ngwedo Sub-County, Buliisa District, who were affected by the compulsory land acquisition for the Tilenga Project—specifically the development of the industrial area and the N1 Access Road.

As a result, we filed Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2021: Omara Daniel, Advocates for Natural Resources and Development, and Resource Rights Africa Ltd vs. The Attorney General & Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).