In a major effort to strengthen land ownership rights and reduce disputes across the country, the Government of Uganda has issued more than 44,425 freehold land titles to citizens in 13 districts.
The titles were distributed through the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) program, a World Bank-supported initiative implemented through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP).
The official handover ceremony was held on August 4, 2025, at the Surveys and Mapping Department in Entebbe, and was presided over by Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba.
The beneficiaries of this milestone initiative hail from Bukedea, Soroti, Serere, Kamuli, Luuka, Jinja, Mayuge, Sheema, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Maracha, Kikuube, and Oyam districts.
The Minister revealed that local authorities including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and Ministry Zonal Officers (MZOs) will spearhead the distribution of the titles to rightful owners within their districts.
Judith Nabakooba explained that the SLAAC program focuses on systematically mapping, demarcating, and registering land parcels in order to clarify boundaries and minimize land-related conflicts.
She said, “These land titles are part of the government’s commitment to ensure that no Ugandan is left behind. Each title is issued at only UGX 85,000, a process that would normally cost up to UGX 10 million.”
The Minister underscored that this initiative is especially crucial for vulnerable groups such as the poor, women, and the elderly, who are often victims of land grabbing, evictions, and ownership disputes due to a lack of formal documentation.
She emphasized the government’s desire to make land ownership affordable and legally secure for all Ugandans, pointing out that the provision of land titles is a critical step in protecting livelihoods.
Hon. Nabakooba urged the public to utilize the Uganda National Land Information System (UGNLIS), a digital platform that enables landowners to verify and monitor their land details online.
“With digital tracking now available, you can confirm ownership and protect your land from fraud or illegal transactions,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and development partners for their continued support of Uganda’s land reform agenda.
She noted that formalizing land ownership empowers citizens to leverage land as a productive asset—whether for agriculture, investment, or securing credit from financial institutions.
“This is how we build trust, security, and productivity around land,” she stated. “When people feel secure about their land, they can invest in it, and that builds stronger communities and a stronger nation.”
Earlier this year in February, the government had distributed over 3,000 land titles in the Ankole sub-region.
Today’s event marks another major achievement in Uganda’s broader goal of ensuring equitable land access and legal protection for all its citizens.
