In a bid to reduce land controversies, land evictions, and land grabbing, the government of Uganda has decided to trim the powers of the district land boards in a move to decentralize power and streamline decision-making.

According to Ofwono Opondo, the government’s spokesperson, as per the new guidelines rolled out by the government, the local government’s security committees, led by the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), will have the final say on all land evictions within their local areas.

“This means that no eviction can take place without the explicit approval of the RDC-led security committee,” Opondo said.

Opondo states that this is a good move by the government, stating that land acquisition and land eviction will be easily controlled.

“This development aims to bring about more transparency and accountability in the management of land-related issues across the country.” Opondo added.

This comes after several cases of fraudulent procurement of certificates of land titles and land evictions in several parts of the country, with the most recent being the arrest of the businessman, Ojuka Anthony, who between the months of February 2019 and September 2020 at the Lira Lands Office in Lira District, conspired and fraudulently procured registration on a freehold certificate of title on government land, plot 17 Ben Emor Road at Ireda Estate.