Stakeholders Call for Clarity in Land Ownership as PELUM Engages on National Land Policy Review
A high-level consultative meeting on the revised National Land Policy has been held on Monday in kampala, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, national land actors, and members of PELUM Uganda.
The discussions, centered on land ownership disputes, economic land use, and government policies affecting landowners and tenants.
Josephine Akia Luyimbazi, Country Coordinator of PELUM Uganda, highlighted a major cause of land conflicts, noting that many tenants claim they are willing to pay property rent but often struggle to identify the rightful landowners. This uncertainty, she said, fuels disputes and prolongs legal battles.
James Galabuzi Mukasa, Chairperson of the Buganda Land Owners Association, urged stakeholders to prioritize land use for economic development rather than engage in prolonged legal battles.
He pointed out that land disputes, particularly over property rent, often take up to 15 years in court, preventing both landowners and tenants from benefiting productively.
Galabuzi, further criticized certain government policies, arguing that they fail to clearly define land ownership and size. According to him, government-backed legal aid for illegal occupants often prolongs cases, only for rightful landowners to win after years of legal struggle.
Naome Kabanda, the Director of Land Management at the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, represented the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. She emphasized the importance of busuulu (property rent tax) and announced government plans to establish a dedicated account for collecting these taxes.
The meeting underscored the need for policy clarity, stakeholder collaboration, and effective land governance to ensure sustainable and economically productive land use.
