Ministry of Lands Suspends LC I Involvement in Land Transactions During Election Period

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has temporarily suspended the involvement of Local Council I (LC I) Chairpersons in land-related transactions during the ongoing LC I election period, citing the need to safeguard the integrity of land dealings and prevent disputes and fraud.

In a public notice issued to the general public, the Ministry advised all LC I Chairpersons who are currently participating in election campaigns to refrain from taking part in any activities related to land transactions until the electoral process is concluded.

According to the Ministry, the directive is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring that land transactions are conducted transparently and without any undue influence that may arise during the heated election season.

The notice specifically bars campaigning LC I Chairpersons from participating in, witnessing, endorsing, recommending, or overseeing any land-related matters during the election period.

Transactions Affected

The Ministry warned members of the public against relying on campaigning LC I Chairpersons in matters concerning:

Sale or purchase of land;

Witnessing or endorsing land sale agreements;

Boundary-related disputes and matters;

Verification of land ownership;

and Any other land transaction requiring local administrative involvement.

Officials noted that the election period can create situations where land transactions are manipulated, leading to fraudulent dealings, conflicts among families and communities, and lengthy legal disputes.

Public Advised to Seek Alternative Channels

For urgent land transactions, the Ministry has encouraged citizens to seek services from qualified legal practitioners or use other lawful channels provided under Uganda's legal framework.

The Ministry emphasized that engaging professional legal services can help ensure that transactions are properly documented and legally binding, thereby protecting the interests of all parties involved.

Protecting the Integrity of Land Transactions

Land remains one of the most sensitive and contested resources in Uganda, with disputes over ownership and boundaries accounting for a significant number of cases handled by local authorities and courts.

The Ministry said the temporary suspension is intended to minimize the risk of irregularities and prevent individuals from exploiting the election period to undertake questionable land dealings.

"The public is urged to exercise patience until the election process has been concluded. This precaution will help prevent costly mistakes and safeguard the interests of all parties," the notice stated.

Cooperation Requested

The Ministry of Lands thanked the public for its cooperation and called upon citizens to remain vigilant during the election period by ensuring that all land transactions are carried out through lawful and transparent procedures.

The directive comes as the country is slated for the LC I elections, with Ugandans preparing to elect new village leaders who play a key role in community administration, including handling certain local land matters.

Observers say the temporary measure is likely to reduce cases of land fraud and disputes that often emerge during periods of political transition, while reinforcing public confidence in the management of land transactions across the country.