Harriet Ntabazi the newly appointed Minisiter of State for lands has declared war on land fraud saying those who thought her predecessor Dr Sam Mayanja had left land issues should think otherwise.
“Am avillage and town woman who knows about land issues.I will fight for the rights of land owners especially for the poor people,”she said shortly after receiving ministrial docucements from Dr Sam Mayanja to start her official work at the ministry of lands in Kampala.
in her remarks Ntabazi pledged to continue the fight against land grabbing while ensuring marginalized communities receive protection from government.
Ntabazi also highlighted plans to tackle administrative challenges and corruption within district land boards and land tribunals and strengthening digitization as her primary tool to combat persistent land disputes and double titling.
She praised Mayanja for confronting land grabbing and restoring confidence in the ministry, saying she intended to preserve his legacy while pursuing reforms through collaboration and dialogue
The Uganda Police Force Crime Report 2025 documented a sharp 67% in land fraud cases , recording 663 incidents compared to 397 in 2024. The northern region alone accounted for 33% of land crimes, which were primarily driven by disputed boundaries, family wrangles, and land grabbing
Estimates indicate that only about 15% to 30% of all uganda land is formally registered and holds a formal land title. The remaining 70% to 80% of land is held under customary tenure systems or informal arrangements like Bibanja.
Handing over ministry of lands office Dr Sam Mayanja newly appointed Attorney General revealed that the government’s crackdown on land grabbing and illegal land dealings will continue to court despite his departure from the ministry, declaring that those who believed the battles had ended were mistaken.
“I thank the President for entrusting me with this office for five years and for replacing me with a fellow fighter. Harriet is a real fighter because I have known her for long,” je said, adding than those who thought the fight is over are wrong,”Mayanja
During his tenure, Mayanja became one of the most visible and controversial figures in Uganda’s land sector, often intervening in disputes involving evictions, contested land titles and land grabbing.
Reflecting on his time in office, he said his work had largely focused on defending vulnerable Ugandans who had lost land through fraudulent dealings and unlawful evictions.
“Our job has been to fight for the oppressed and those who have been evicted,” he said.
Mayanja thanked ministry officials for supporting his work, noting that extensive travel across the country had enabled him to engage directly with land-related conflicts affecting ordinary citizens.
“I know many now call me controversial, but it is okay,” he remarked, adding that much of his work had been guided by presidential directives aimed at resolving long-standing land disputes.
He advised Ntabaazi to familiarize herself with the ministry’s Land Information System before embarking on field interventions, arguing that a proper understanding of land records would be essential in resolving disputes. Mayanja also cautioned the incoming minister that the office comes with significant risks and pressure.
Hon. Harriet Ntabazi previously served as State Minister in the Ministry of Trade, pledged to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor rather than reverse it.
