Community Participation in Land Registration: Evidence from Kigoma-Ujiji Municipal Council, Tanzania

Abstract

Community participation is central to effective land governance because it can enhance transparency, strengthen tenure security, and reduce land-related conflicts. However, limited empirical evidence exists on how institutional and socio-economic conditions shape participation in land registration within rapidly urbanising secondary municipalities. This study examined community participation in land registration activities in Kigoma-Ujiji Municipal Council, using the Political Ecology framework. Guided by pragmatism, the study employed a mixed-methods convergent parallel design and collected data from 340 respondents through questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings indicate a moderate level of community participation, with regular participation recording a mean score of 3.30 (SD = 1.56), while perceived increases in participation recorded a mean of 3.36 (SD = 1.41). Participation was constrained by inadequate awareness (27.9%), financial constraints (21.5%), and limited access to registration services (14.2%). The findings suggest that improving participation requires strengthened public awareness, reduced financial and procedural barriers, and more accessible registration services. The study contributes empirical evidence on community participation in land registration in an urbanising secondary municipality and underscores the importance of inclusive and responsive land administration.