The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development has scrapped more than 1,000 fraudulent or erroneous land titles following a comprehensive cleanup of the land register in Mukono Municipality.
The exercise, led by Minister Judith Nabakooba, targeted Blocks 190, 193, and 530 in Kyaggwe County and marks a major step toward restoring integrity to Uganda’s land management system.
“This exercise demonstrates our unwavering commitment to a clean and reliable land register, which is essential for socio-economic development,” said Hon. Nabakooba during the official announcement on June 20, 2025.
A total of 1,237 titles were identified as either fraudulent or erroneously issued, some dating back decades.
Many inconsistencies were traced to colonial-era errors, particularly from the 1950s when urban town blocks were mapped over existing mailo land, creating multiple ownership claims on the same parcels. This misalignment not only sowed confusion but created fertile ground for fraud.
According to the Ministry, transitioning from a manual to a computerised land registration system was key in identifying these overlapping titles.
“The manual system had significant limitations, but with computerisation, we were able to identify overlapping titles that caused confusion and fraud,” Nabakooba explained.
The cleanup process involved a structured public engagement strategy, including notices in newspapers and hearings with affected landowners and their representatives.
By temporarily halting transactions on the affected blocks, the Ministry was able to conduct an in-depth review without new disputes arising during the process.
The cleanup has brought relief to many genuine landowners in Mukono who had been trapped in long-standing disputes or had their titles challenged. With fraudulent titles now removed, legitimate landowners can resume transactions with confidence.
“This is not just about fixing the books… It’s about protecting people,” Nabakooba emphasised, thanking the public for their patience and the Mukono Zonal Office staff for their dedication.
The Ministry now plans to roll out similar cleanup exercises across other urban centres grappling with overlapping or disputed land titles. Officials say the Mukono pilot serves as a model for future land reform efforts nationwide.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has repeatedly called for stronger land governance and the protection of lawful tenants. Speaking at a community event in Butambala on June 17, 2025, the President addressed the issue of illegal evictions and reaffirmed the government’s stance:
“The Land Act is very clear. No one is allowed to evict a kibanja owner. “If someone tells you to leave land you’ve been using, that’s an abuse of your ignorance,” Museveni declared.
He attributed Uganda’s land challenges to the colonial Mailo system, which he said unfairly rewarded collaborators with large estates, often displacing local communities. Museveni also emphasised the need for stronger judicial accountability.
During the swearing-in of Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija on April 24, 2025, the President urged the judiciary to address what he called “irrational judicial decisions” that continue to fuel land disputes.
“I appeal to the judiciary to take this matter seriously,” he said, referencing a recent illegal eviction case in Kiboga. “Only the courts and the Ministry of Lands have the authority to handle evictions through due process.”
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo echoed the President’s remarks, praising his “timely and thoughtful appointments” to the bench as crucial to upholding justice and the rule of law in land matters.
With the Mukono blocks now reopened for lawful land transactions, the Ministry is encouraging landowners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to verify and resume business.
The successful cleanup underscores the importance of transparency, digital transformation, and citizen engagement in land administration.
“We are committed to replicating this success in other regions,” Nabakooba said. “A clean land register is the backbone of development, justice, and trust in the land sector.”