Strengthen oversight to improve land governance, Speaker Oboth Urges MPs
KAMPALA, July 20, 2026 — Members of Parliament have been urged to champion reforms that strengthen land governance, protect citizens’ land rights and support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The call was made during an orientation on land governance organised by the Uganda Parliamentarians Land Management Forum in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Oxfam Uganda, Participatory Ecological Land Use Management [PELUM] Uganda, Cordaid International and other partners.
The orientation, held on Friday in Kampala brought together legislators to deepen their understanding of land administration, legislation and their oversight responsibilities.
Representing the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth, Parliament Commissioner Jesca Ababiku described land as one of Uganda’s most valuable national assets and urged legislators to use their positions to safeguard citizens’ interests.
“Our Constitution, under Article 237, guarantees citizens the right to own land, and we are here to represent them by ensuring this vital resource is properly managed,” she said.
“Land-related issues are among the biggest challenges facing this country. By choosing to be part of this Forum, you are taking an important step towards addressing the concerns of the people who sent you to Parliament.”
Ababiku, who is also the Adjumani District Woman Representative, noted that about 42 per cent of cases handled by the courts relate to land disputes. She warned that unless leaders take decisive action, vulnerable citizens will continue to risk losing their land amid growing competition for resources.
Reading the Speaker’s message, Ababiku said Parliament has a critical role in promoting justice, attracting investment and advancing national development through sound land governance.
“Land is more than a fiscal asset. It is the foundation of livelihoods, dignity and opportunity for our people. It sustains families, drives investment and underpins national development,” the Speaker’s message stated.
The Speaker further challenged legislators to apply the knowledge gained during the orientation to strengthen legislation and enhance parliamentary oversight.
“Our constituents did not send us here simply to make laws. They sent us here to solve problems. Every debate we hold and every law we pass should move Uganda closer to justice and opportunity,” the message added.
Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba said that although Uganda has an extensive legal and policy framework governing land, the country continues to face persistent challenges, including land conflicts, illegal evictions, land grabbing, fraud, double titling and corruption.
“These challenges continue to affect livelihoods, delay investment and undermine confidence in our land institutions. That is why we need to work closely with you to strengthen the country’s land governance system,” Nabakooba said.
She called for increased public awareness, noting that limited knowledge of land rights remains one of the leading causes of land disputes.
“Our land governance system must continue to evolve. We must move beyond viewing land solely as a matter of rights and ownership, and increasingly position it as a catalyst for economic development, job creation and wealth generation,” she said.
Nabakooba highlighted progress made by the ministry, including the establishment of 22 Ministry Zonal Offices to decentralise land services and improve access to land registration, title processing and mortgage services across the country. She added that the digitisation of land records now enables citizens to conduct land searches online.
According to the minister, Uganda has increased land registration coverage from 18 per cent in 2013 to 30.12 per cent, although she acknowledged that most customary land remains undocumented, leaving many Ugandans vulnerable to land grabbing.
She said the ministry continues to issue Certificates of Customary Ownership and has introduced a central government account through which lawful tenants can pay nominal ground rent (busuulu) where landlords refuse to receive payment or cannot be traced.
Looking ahead, Nabakooba appealed to Parliament to support key legislative reforms, including the Real Estate Bill, amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, Trustees Incorporation Act, Survey Act and the Physical Planning Act.
“These reforms are necessary to address legal and institutional gaps, strengthen regulation, improve land administration, reduce fraud and exploitation, and ensure our laws remain responsive to the country’s changing needs,” she said.
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