ULC begins digital inventory of government land in Mbale
MBALE CITY, December 12, 2025 — The Uganda Land Commission [ULC] has begun creating a comprehensive, digitally enabled inventory of all government land to ensure accurate documentation, updated records, and to curb encroachment or illegal occupation, particularly by the land grabbers.
This was announced on Wednesday during a press conference at the Mbale City Council Chambers, following a stakeholders’ engagement meeting that brought together the ULC, Mbale City Council leaders, city surveyors, urban planners, and other officials.
Government land under review includes institutional land [schools, hospitals and ministries], infrastructure land [roads, power lines, railway corridors, stadia, and public open spaces], administrative land [district headquarters and sub-counties], as well as public utility land.
According to Christine Aporu Amongin, a Commissioner at the ULC, government has started the process of digitalising all government land records to improve accuracy and transparency in 16 cities and municipalities across the country.
Amongin explained that the Commission is a constitutional body mandated to hold and manage all land vested in or acquired by the Government. It also protects government land, administers leases, manages the Land Fund and facilitates the acquisition of land titles.
“The exercise will help prevent encroachment and illegal occupation of government land,” Amongin said.
She added that all lessees will be required to update their records and clear ground rent arrears once the City Council provides the necessary information.
“We are moving away from the old file-based system to a digitalised one. With just a click of a button, you will be able to view the land inventory. A survey team from Entebbe will be in Mbale City next week,” she said.
Ronnie Bahungahe, Senior Land Officer at the Uganda Land Commission, said they expect Mbale City Council to submit a list of all government land under its jurisdiction, as well as any other government-owned land within the city.
“Our survey team from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, specifically from the Department of Mapping and Surveying, together with government valuers and sociologists, will work closely with stakeholders in Mbale City to take stock of all government land,” Bahungahe explained.
He added that stakeholders will assist in verifying government land, supporting boundary opening, confirming title ownership and identifying land that requires surveying.
“We aim to take complete stock of all government land so that we have proper records and, going forward, a comprehensive and fully digitalised inventory,” Bahungahe said.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-orders-arrests-over-alleged-encroachment-on-hoima-sugar-land/
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