In a significant step towards land tenure security, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Lands, has distributed a total of 3,052 land ownership certificates to residents from four districts in the Ankole Sub-region.
The official handover took place on February 15 at the Mbarara Land Zonal Office, located in Kamukuzi Cell, North Division, Mbarara City, where Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba presented the titles to beneficiaries from Rwampara, Mbarara, Kiruhura, and Ibanda Districts.
Addressing the crowd at the ceremony, Minister Nabakooba urged the newly titled landowners to put their land to productive use, emphasizing their role as the rightful owners. However, she cautioned them about the potential dangers of using their newly acquired titles as collateral for loans from banks and money lenders.
She warned that money lenders often require land titles as security, and in cases of default, they may seize the land. “Be mindful when taking out loans. Some people, unfortunately, end up spending borrowed money irresponsibly, often on alcohol, and lose their land,” Nabakooba advised.
The issuance of the land certificates is part of the Government’s ongoing Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) project, supported by the World Bank through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP). The project aims to enhance land tenure security and improve land management, ultimately supporting the livelihoods of Uganda’s rural poor.
Johnson Mukaaga, the CEDP Coordinator, shared that the Mbarara region has a total of 30,000 land titles planned for issuance, with more than 6,000 already distributed. “To ensure the completion of the project, the Government has adjusted its policies to allow title printing without waiting for full fee payments, so all remaining titles will be ready by the end of this financial year,” he confirmed.
He also highlighted the extensive support provided by the Government in terms of administrative, technical, and financial resources, noting that these efforts would lead to more efficient land transactions and improved revenue generation for both local and national governments.
Minister Nabakooba encouraged those who haven’t registered their land to begin the process soon and reminded residents to settle their registration fees. “If you haven’t paid the Shs 80,000 registration fee, I urge you to do so. This fee is required by law and must be paid through the bank,” she said.
Kiruhura District Woman MP Jovanice Rwenduru raised concerns about some residents in her area who were resisting the registration fee, mistakenly believing the services were free of charge. “The Government has invested a significant amount of money into this land registration process, and it’s important for people to value this effort by paying the small registration fee,” she advised.
Rwenduru also expressed gratitude towards Minister Nabakooba for her commitment to fighting corruption within the Ministry of Lands. “She has consistently been on the ground to resolve people’s land issues. We are grateful for her leadership and for the trust placed in her by the President,” she added.
Catherine Kamwine, the Resident City Commissioner of Mbarara, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of protecting land titles from fraudulent practices. She revealed how some unscrupulous money lenders were exploiting landowners by using court systems to illegally seize land.
Mbarara District Chairperson, Didas Tabaro, praised the SLAAC project for helping to curb land grabbing in the region. However, he issued a word of caution to couples, advising them not to sell land without consulting their spouses. “It’s crucial to ensure both parties agree before making any decisions about land sale,” he advised. “Don’t sell land at a bar corner without your wife’s consent.”
