Lands Ministry Secures NALI Land Title After 40 Years: Haji Yunus Kakande Hails Milestone in Protecting Government Property

Kampala — In a landmark step towards securing government property across the country, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has officially handed over a land title to the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi—ending a 40-year wait.

The title, covering 21 square miles, marks the first time the leadership institute has held formal documentation over the land it has occupied since the early days of Uganda’s post-liberation leadership training.

Haji Yunus Kakande: “A battle of 40 years finally won”

Speaking during the handover at the Ministry of Lands headquarters, Haji Yunus Kakande, the Secretary in the Office of the President, described the development as a major victory in securing strategic national assets. He praised Permanent Secretary Mrs. Dorcas W. Okalany for taking swift action once she learned that the institute lacked legal documentation.

“Thank you, Madam Permanent Secretary, for this title because NALI had spent 40 years without it. We tried the process but it was never easy,” Haji Kakande said, noting that the breakthrough followed Mrs. Okalany’s pledge—made during a recent ideological training at NALI—that the title would be delivered within weeks.

He further revealed that NALI originally occupied more land than the current 21 square miles, but due to years of operating without documentation, several portions were gradually encroached on and grabbed by private individuals.

“Some people have been looking for ways to grab that land and share it among themselves,” he said. “With this permanent documentation, this strategically located government land will now be protected.”

Haji Kakande also recounted previous efforts to fence the land, which failed due to the high costs involved. He criticized the Kyankwanzi District Land Board for distributing chunks of NALI land 15 years ago under the claim of exercising its mandate.

Calls for nationwide protection of government land

While celebrating the success at NALI, Haji Kakande urged the Lands Ministry not to stop at Kyankwanzi.

“Government has a lot of land in Mbarara, Masindi, and other districts that remains untitled and vulnerable. Government land is easy to steal because most of it has no documentation,” he warned.

He emphasized that securing such property is essential to stopping land grabbing, a problem that continues to plague government institutions.

NALI’s historical and national significance

Haji Kakande used the event to highlight the historical importance of the Kyankwanzi-based institute. Initially a colonial detention site, the land was abandoned after independence until it became a key operational area for the National Resistance Army during the liberation struggle.

“After the war, it was turned into a leadership institute and many Ugandans have benefited from its work in mindset change,” he said.

PS Dorcas Okalany: “We processed it in record time”

Permanent Secretary Dorcas Okalany explained that she discovered NALI’s lack of land documentation during a week-long ideological training at the institute.

“I was shocked to learn that NALI had no land title. Someone could easily claim the land,” she said. She moved quickly—commissioning boundary opening, a deed plan, and verification through the Ministry’s systems.

“After the survey, we processed the title within two days,” she added, crediting her team’s determination. 

Mrs. Okalany warned that land grabbers are increasingly producing fake titles and targeting open government land, especially where documentation is lacking. She encouraged other institutions with large land holdings—particularly the army and police—to urgently begin titling processes.

Digital security in place

The PS assured officials that the NALI land title has now been uploaded into the Ministry’s digital land information system, guaranteeing its security and traceability. Any attempt to tamper with the title will trigger system alerts.

NALI Director Col. Okei Rukogota: “A day for celebration”

NALI Director Col. Okei Rukogota hailed the milestone and thanked the Office of the President, led by Haji Kakande, for championing the process. He revealed that several survey firms had quoted fees exceeding Shs1 billion, making the process appear unattainable until Mrs. Okalany intervened.

“When our leadership came in January 2025, securing the land title was a top priority,” he said. “The Permanent Secretary of the Lands Ministry showed patriotism by taking it on personally and delivering in record time.”

A turning point in protecting public assets

The successful titling of NALI land reinforces the government’s renewed push to secure its properties from encroachment, fraud, and theft. Haji Yunus Kakande’s leadership and persistence—combined with Mrs. Okalany’s rapid administrative action—have set a precedent for how inter-agency collaboration can safeguard Uganda’s land resources.

As Kakande emphasized, “Government must protect what belongs to the public. This is a win for the country.”