Ugandan citizens who leave their parcels of land unused are at risk of losing them to land grabbers, according to a warning from Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba. Speaking at the conclusion of a three-year project on Responsible Governance of Investments in land in Kampala, the minister addressed the prevalence of land conflicts arising from idle and underutilized land.
Minister Nabakooba noted that many land conflicts, while also occurring in urban areas over demolished buildings and disputes, primarily stem from rural land that is bushy and not put to use. Land grabbers often exploit such areas, assuming that they are unclaimed, and proceed to find buyers for these idle plots.
The minister highlighted that only 20 to 30 percent of customary land in Uganda is registered, leaving an estimated 70 percent unregistered and susceptible to illegal transactions or claims. The ongoing population growth further intensifies the demand for land, emphasizing the need for landowners to secure titles and certificates to ensure tenure security.
Ms. Nabakooba informed that the government, with support from partners like GIZ and the European Union (EU), will continue to educate the public about land-related issues. She stressed the importance of the National Land Policy 2013, indicating that its review would serve to protect citizens against land grabbers and foster a healthy relationship between investors and the community. Additionally, it aims to emphasize land ownership rights among vulnerable groups, including women and people with disabilities.
David Lowe, the deputy head of development cooperation at the German Embassy, emphasized the necessity for organized and harmonized investments in land to safeguard the rights of local communities. James MacBeth Forbes, GIZ country director, stated that GIZ, in collaboration with the EU, has allocated €10 million (approximately Shs41 billion) to enhance land security.
