LIRA-President Yoweri Museveni has launched the registration and issuing of certificates of land titles for customary land ownership, which is part of the government’s efforts to protect the less privileged in the country, especially at the time when land grabbers are on a rampage.
The launch conducted at Ibuje Primary School, Apac district saw a total of 1,537 certificates issued to families in the three districts of Agago, Maracha, and Apac.
According to the minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba at least 6,393 are the beneficiaries of the land titles.
The project being founded by European Union, United Nations Capital Development Fund, and CADASTA is expected to roll out and cover 35 districts in the country.
“I want to thank the ministry of lands for waking up from sleeping because land conflict and grabbling has been a big problem in this country,” Museveni said.
He said in the constitution, there are two kinds of land tenure systems, mailo and customary. The mailo land tenure system was introduced by the British for their selfish motive to keep people poor.
“Later they introduced leasehold which was more progressive because the government can give land and use for a certain purpose, especially for commercial reasons,” he said.
He said thereafter customary land ownership was recognised and now the government with support from development partners will survey all lands and issue certificate of ownership.
“This is just the beginning and it’s like testing its sweetness but we shall continue to ensure that it covers all the country,” he said.
He cautioned people against land fragmentation saying the practice makes the land small and non-productive.
“The land can only be divided as shares to make the different individuals benefit but not into smaller pieces,” he advised.
The district woman MP Betty Engola to issuing of the certificate will mark the end of land fights and disputes cases in court.
She encouraged people to register and acquire certificates which will not only solve the problem of disputes but can be presented in the bank to borrow loans.
https://thecooperator.news/amuru-district-in-talks-with-government-over-free-customary-land-titles/
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