State Minister for Urban Development, Hon. Obiga Mario Kania, has pledged to address Uganda’s persistent land conflicts and champion sustainable land use across the country.
This announcement was made during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto Week, where the Ministry presented its progress, achievements, and challenges in implementing its manifesto commitments.
The Ministry reiterated its mandate to ensure rational, sustainable, and effective land use, aligning with its overarching goal to secure rightful ownership of land for all Ugandans while addressing housing and urban development needs.
The Ministry unveiled a comprehensive approach to tackle land conflicts and ensure secure land ownership noting that the Ministry has facilitated the acquisition of 18,956 hectares of land from absentee landlords in regions such as Ankole, Buganda, and Toro. This land is now being allocated to lawful and bona fide occupants, ensuring long-term security and ownership rights for vulnerable Ugandans.
- on Customary Land Owners,the minister said a total of 90,000 certificates of customary land ownership have been produced and issued to beneficiaries in districts including Kisoro, Kabale, Mbale, Soroti, Maracha, and Katakwi. This initiative empowers customary landowners to legally register their land, reducing disputes and fostering security.
- The Ministry has scaled up systematic land demarcation projects in several districts for both customary and freehold land. This ensures clear boundaries and reduces conflicts arising from overlapping claims.
- on Land Registry Cleanup the minister noted that efforts are underway to clean up the national land registry by canceling multiple titles issued for the same piece of land. This process aims to eliminate fraud and maintain genuine ownership records.
- Kania revealed the Ministry is engaging cultural and religious leaders to mediate and resolve customary land disputes. These partnerships tap into traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms to foster harmony in communities.
- To mproved Public Access to Land Information,the ministry promote transparency and efficiency, the Ministry has rolled out public portals of the Land Information System (LIS), enabling users to conduct land searches. A toll-free call center (0800100004) has also been established to address public inquiries.The LIS is being integrated with key government bodies such as the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.
The Ministry also highlighted its contributions to housing and urban development, emphasizing efforts to enhance wealth creation, job creation, and public service delivery:
He revealed that plans are underway to recapitalize the Housing Finance Bank, enabling it to expand and provide affordable mortgage financing to Ugandans.
“The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development remains committed to creating a future where land conflicts are a thing of the past, ownership rights are secure, and all Ugandans can enjoy decent housing and sustainable urban development. “We are determined to end land conflicts and ensure land is a resource for development, not a source of disputes,”Hon. Obiga Mario Kania said
This renewed commitment reflects the government’s resolve to fulfill its manifesto promises and drive progress in land, housing, and urban development sectors. As Uganda grows, the Ministry’s efforts are pivotal in creating a fair, just, and sustainable environment for all citizens.
