The government through the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (MLHUD), has processed and issued at least 57,325 freehold Certificates of titles under the World Bank supported Systematic Land Adjudication And Certification (SLAAC) programme.
The titles were handed over to Zonal land officers on July, 7, 2025 during an event held at the Surveys and Mapping Department offices in Entebbe, Wakiso District. This is part of the government’s initiative to curb land grabbing and conflicts among citizens across the country.
Dispatching titles to respective zonal representatives, lands minister, Judith Nabakooba, noted that so far only five regions have benefited but arrangements are under way to roll the exercise to other parts of the country.
“Where unregistered land and interests are ascertained in a Systematic manner, parcel by parcel, everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, education, or literacy level, including the vulnerable and marginalized, is included in securing their rights under highly subsidized government intervention,” she said.
Ms Nabakooba said residents who have benefited in this batch are from seven districts including Bukedea, Serere, Arua, Jinja, Masindi and Kikuube. Under the SLAAC programme, the government funds all the processing exercise and the land owners contribute only Shs85, 000.
The minister highlighted that the exercise is very costly, noting that for one to register just one parcel, it can cost them between Shs8 and 10 million.
She called upon all land owners to embrace the exercise once they get the opportunity, underscoring its potential to curb land disputes and evictions.
“Citizens need to appreciate this government effort to ensure that all land owners acquire a document from the government showing ownership of their land and stay informed about how best to protect and use their land optimally without any threats,” she said.
The titles being handed to Bukedea are 9,726; Serere are 6,606; Soroti are 4,176; Kimuli are 4,295; Luuka are 488; Isingiro are 1,906; Ntungamo are 8,231; An additional 1,418 for Kikuube and 20,478 titles for Maracha.
“We are working on 300,000 titles, so this is just a quarter of what is expected of us under the SLAAC Project.” she added.
After the handover of titles to the zonal land officers, Ms Nabakooba directed them to work with their respective political heads alongside Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to ensure the titles are handed to the rightful beneficiaries.
Ever since SLAAC was rolled out, Mr Richard Juuko, the undersecretary of the ministry, noted that at least 19 districts have been covered. He tasked zonal officers to ensure titles are handed over to the beneficiaries as soon as they reach their respective destinations.
“We have given you these titles to ensure you hand them over to beneficiaries. We don’t expect to find them in your offices,” he instructed.
Additionally, Mr Johson Bigiira, the Acting Commissioner for land registration, revealed that only 23 percent of the land has been registered, with hopes of more coverage with the SLAAC programme.
