By Felix Oketcho
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, has handed over more than 44,425 freehold land titles to citizens across 13 districts in a major move to improve land tenure security and reduce land disputes.
The land titles were issued under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) program, supported by the World Bank through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP).
The handover ceremony was led by Lands Minister, Judith Nabakooba at the Surveys and Mapping Department in Entebbe on August 4, 2025.
The 44,425 land titles will benefit people from Bukedea, Soroti, Serere, Kamuli, Luuka, Jinja, Mayuge, Sheema, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Maracha, Kikuube, and Oyam districts. Local leaders including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and Ministry Zonal Officers (MZOs) will oversee the further distribution of the titles to the rightful beneficiaries.
Minister Nabakooba explained that the SLAAC program systematically maps, demarcates, and registers land parcels to ensure clear boundaries and reduce conflicts. She emphasized the government’s goal of making land ownership accessible and affordable to all Ugandans.
“These land titles are part of the government’s commitment to ensure that no Ugandan is left behind. Each title is issued at only UGX 85,000, a process that would normally cost up to UGX 10 million,” she said.
She noted that this initiative especially protects vulnerable groups such as the poor, women, and the elderly, who are often at risk of land grabbing, evictions, and disputes due to lack of legal proof of ownership.
Hon. Nabakooba also encouraged citizens to use the Uganda National Land Information System (UGNLIS), which allows landowners to track, verify, and confirm land details online without needing to physically visit government offices.
“With digital tracking now available, you can confirm ownership and protect your land from fraud or illegal transactions,” she added.
The Minister thanked the World Bank and other partners for supporting land reform efforts in Uganda.
She said that giving people formal ownership over their land is a key part of national development, enabling them to use land as a secure asset for investment, farming, or accessing credit.
“This is how we build trust, security, and productivity around land. When people feel secure about their land, they can invest in it, and that builds stronger communities and a stronger nation,” she said.
In February 2025, the government had already issued over 3,000 land titles in the Ankole sub-region. Today’s handover represents another major milestone in the effort to streamline land ownership in Uganda