UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has issued a warning, alerting Ugandans that those with idle parcels of land are at a heightened risk of losing them to land grabbers.
Speaking after a three-year project on Responsible Governance of Investments in land in Kampala, the minister highlighted that many reported land conflicts in the country stem from idle land.
Nabakooba emphasised that conflicts often arise in areas with underutilised or bushy land, providing an opportunity for land brokers to assume unclaimed ownership and seek potential buyers.
The minister revealed a concerning statistic, stating that only 20 to 30 per cent of customary land in Uganda is registered.
With an estimated 70 per cent of land being customary and unregistered, it becomes susceptible to illegal sales or claims by land grabbers.
Nabakooba attributed this vulnerability to the rapid population growth rate, increasing the demand for land.
Encouraging landowners to secure titles and certificates to ensure tenure security, Nabakooba highlighted ongoing efforts by the government, supported by partners such as GIZ and the European Union (EU), to raise awareness about land issues.
She expressed the importance of sensitising the public and noted that the National Land Policy 2013, once reviewed, would play a crucial role in protecting citizens against land grabbers while promoting a healthy relationship between investors and communities.
David Lowe, the deputy head of development cooperation at the German Embassy, stressed the need for organised and harmonised investments in land to safeguard the rights of local communities.
James MacBeth Forbes, the GIZ country director, announced a substantial injection of €10 million (approximately Shs41 billion) by GIZ in partnership with the EU to enhance land security.
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