The role of institutions in natural resource management in the context of agroecosystems sustainability : cases from peri-urban Masaka, Uganda

Abstract: In this thesis the roles which institutions play in the management of natural resources are explored. These management strategies and the natural resources were put in the context of sustainable agroecosystems and the components were looked at from a systems perspective. The study has the structure of an embedded multiple case design and conducted through participatory methods: semi-structured interviews, transect walks and focus groups. The results were analyzed using theories on resource governance and management, institutions, agroecosystems sustainability and agroecological systems. Several institutions were identified as playing a more or less important role: family; the law; national, parastatal and government organizations and the informal economy. The most frequently mentioned and discussed natural resources and resource systems were trees, the wetlands, agricultural land, pasture and soil. The study concludes that there is a lack of local natural resource management institutions which connects to the human capital and the absence of facilitation to support such capital in the management of natural resources.