Efficient and effective community-based natural resource management is guided by well-outlined byelaws. However, most grassroots community members lack the prerequisite capacity for developing byelaws on their own and hence require training in the same. The process outlines the necessary ingredients and steps for development and implementation of bye-laws for Sustainable Land Management (SLM). It is  based  on  experiences  in  SLM-related  rules,  regulations  and  formulations  in  Ethiopia  and  Uganda.
Lessons and experiences have been drawn from the process used during the formulation of bye-laws for Dendi  and  Were  Jarso  districts  in  Ethiopia  and  bye-laws  for  Benet  sub-county  and  Kabei  parish  in Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts in Uganda.

The  process  has  been  disseminated  through  the  ASARECA  website,  local  institutions  and  farmer groups. The  process  has  been  developed  in  a  simple  format  that  can  serve  dual  roles  for  teams,  thus facilitating  transmission.  This  team  may  include  individuals  such  as:  extension  staff,  local  policy makers, members from local community groups and members from NGOs and CBOs.

The process has been disseminated through the ASARECA website, local institutions and farmer groups in the form of a manual. The manual has been developed in a simple format that can serve dual roles for teams facilitating the process of bye-law formulation. This may include the following: extension staff, local  policy  makers,  local  community  groups,  NGOs  and  CBOs.  The  manual  was  instrumental  in the formulation of the Uganda’s Bukwo district Land Care Ordinance No. 2/2013. This is the first ordinance
approved by the district council and one of the most relevant with regard to sustainable development.

The process does not segregate between men, women and the youth. All gender categories are expected to participate in  issues of SLM. The process  is a key source of  information, especially on efforts that promote  sustainability.  It  can  be  used  by  community  development  workers  to  empower  women, especially  in  aspects  of  land  management  where  they  seem  to  lag  behind  men.  Gender  concepts including  equity,  equal  opportunity,  gender  strategic  needs,  and  how  they  relate  to  SLM  in  the household  context  were  explained  to  participants  including  the  various  tools  used  to  ensure  gender mainstreaming  in  the  byelaw  formulation  process.  Several  by-laws  already  being  enforced  in  the  two sites were reviewed by relevant IPs in areas such as penalties imposed in bye-laws; appropriate timing of collective SLM activities; and consideration of inclusion of youth among those targeted by the bye-laws. As a result, two bye-laws were developed and registered at local level Kebele watershed levels (one on implementation of SWC practices and the other on mechanisms for equitable sharing of benefits from introduced  crossbred  cows).A  draft  land  care  ordinance  was  developed  and  adopted  by  the  Bukwo District  council  that  took the  lead  in  operationalizing  IPs  under  the  leadership  of  a  local  government female Environment Officer.

The  process  was  used  in  the  development  of  two  SLM  bye-laws  for  two  membership  based organizations in Bukwo, Uganda; two bye-laws in the MekhankutaBorodo watershed in Dendi, Ethiopia and a district level land care ordinance in Bukwo, Uganda district. The byelaws and ordinance prescribe uptake  of  agro-forestry,  contour  bunds,  Napier  grass  to  establish  contours,  terraces,  trenches  and improved cow  management among other  innovations through collective action of  farming  households
across the landscape. Increased behavioral change culminating in wide adoption of  SLM innovations totaling to 187 km long of soil and water conservation  bunds constructed  in Ethiopia and on 8,435 ha of  land  in  Uganda. (iv) institutional  and  organizations  capacity  strengthening  of  Innovation  platforms  that  culminated  into coalitions  of  stakeholders  in  Ethiopia  to  form  thirty  seven  (37)  collective  action  groups  comprised  of development  group  “gareemisoomaa”;  and  working  group  “gareehoojii”  towards  implementation  of SLM innovations. Overall, the capacity of 295 people was built in bye-law development and review. 

Dr. Willy Kakuru,  
Lecturer, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere University  
P.O. Box 7062
Kampala, Uganda
Email: wnkakuru@yahoo.com

Mr. Alex Muhweezi,  
Executive Officer, Future Dialogues International (FDI)
P.O. Box 4111, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256772221499 Email: alebamu@gmail.com

Dr. Michael Waithaka,  
Programme Manager-PAAP, ASARECA,   
P O Box 765; Entebbe, Uganda
Tel: +256-414-321885  
Mobile: +256-782654088
Email: m.waithaka@asareca.org

Ms. Miriam Kyotalimye, Programme Assistant- PAAP, ASARECA  
P.O Box 765; Entebbe, Uganda
Tel: +256-414-321885;
Mobile: +256-772304427  
Email: m.kyotalimye@asareca.org

Dr. Joy Tukahirwa, Research Scientist/NRM Specialist, World Agroforestry- ICRAF African Highland
Initiative (AHI)
 P.O. Box 26416, Kampala, Uganda  
Tel: +256 414220600 / +256 772786816
Fax: +256 414223242
Mobile
Email: j.tukahirwa@cgiar.org jmbtukahirwa@yahoo.co.uk

Dr. ChilotYirga, Researcher, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)  
P.O. Box 2003; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: 251-112-703566  
Mobile: 251-911-942549  
Email: ctizale@yahoo.com

Figure 1 shows the various steps in the development of the SLM bye-law.

Figure 1. Process of bye-law development process as illustrated in the SLM manual

The detailed step by step process for developing an SLM bye-law is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2.An illustration of the bye-law development process in the SLM manual

Bibliography
ASARECA. 2010. Manual for Sustainable Land Management: Bye-law development and implementation in Ethiopia. Entebbe, ASARECA