UGANDA, Ankole | Real Muloodi News | The government, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has issued 3,052 land titles in Ankole to residents in four districts.
The titles were distributed to beneficiaries from Rwampara, Mbarara, Kiruhura, and Ibanda districts on February 15 at the Mbarara Land Zonal Office in Kamukuzi Cell, North Division, Mbarara City.
The land titles were processed under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) project, an initiative of the government supported by the World Bank through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP).
The SLAAC project aims to enhance land tenure security, improve land management, and support economic development in rural areas.
Government Cautions Against Misuse of Titles
While issuing land titles in Ankole, the Minister of Lands, Judith Nabakooba, urged beneficiaries to develop their land by using it productively. She cautioned against using the titles as collateral for loans from banks and money lenders, warning that many people risk losing their land through such transactions.
“Before giving credit, money lenders make agreements with their clients saying they have sold the land. They keep the original title, and if you fail to pay, they take your land,” Nabakooba said.
She further noted that several people who acquire loans using land titles as security use the money irresponsibly.
Progress in Issuing Land Titles in Ankole
According to Mr Johnson Mukaaga, the CEDP coordinator, the government has processed over 30,000 land titles in Ankole in the Mbarara region, of which more than 6,000 have already been issued.
“For the ministry to achieve its target of completing the generation and printing of the remaining titles, the government revised the required charges to facilitate faster processing. By the end of this financial year, all pending titles will be ready for issuance,” Mukaaga said.
He added that the government provided full administrative, technical, and financial support for the project, enabling local authorities to handle volumes of land transactions and strengthening revenue collection at both the district and national levels.
Landowners Urged to Complete Registration
Minister Nabakooba encouraged unregistered landowners to begin the process. She emphasized that those who have not paid the government’s Shs80,000 registration fee should do so promptly to secure their titles.
“Those who haven’t got their titles because of unpaid fees, we ask you to find USh80,000 and pay. These fees are set by law and are payable only through the bank,” she said.
Kiruhura District Woman MP Jovanice Rwenduru raised concerns about some residents refusing to pay the registration fee, mistakenly believing the process is free. She advised them to comply with the payment requirements to receive their land titles.
“The government has invested significant funds in carrying out land registration. You should respect that effort by paying the small fee required to finalize the process and obtain your land title,” she said.
She also commended the minister for her efforts in fighting corruption within the ministry and for being involved in resolving land-related challenges.
“This minister is an example to all of us. She is the first minister who is always on the ground whenever we need her. We thank our dear President for trusting her with this office,” Rwenduru stated.
Risks of Using Land Titles as Collateral
Ms. Catherine Kamwine, the Resident City Commissioner of Mbarara, echoed the minister’s concerns about using land titles as security for loans. She alleged that some money lenders, in collaboration with court officials, have fraudulently acquired land from unsuspecting owners.
“Some financial institutions and individuals are working with corrupt officials to seize land illegally. People should be cautious when using their land titles as collateral,” Kamwine warned.
Mbarara District Chairperson Didas Tabaro praised the SLAAC project for reducing land disputes and preventing illegal land grabbing through proper registration and certification.
He also advised couples to ensure mutual consent before selling land, noting that disputes often arise when one spouse sells land without informing the other.
“Don’t sit in a bar and sell land without your wife’s consent,” Tabaro said.
Strengthening Land Tenure Security
The issuance of land titles in Ankole under the SLAAC project is part of a broader government initiative to formalize land ownership and prevent illegal evictions. By ensuring that landowners have legal documentation, the program seeks to improve land use, attract investment, and enhance economic stability in the region.
With over 30,000 titles already processed in Mbarara and surrounding districts, the government urges residents to complete their land registration and protect their property rights.
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