governance 18 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Land Offices Lagging in Processing Despite Digitalization Efforts
A recent audit reveals that nearly a third of land applications remain unprocessed at Ministry Zonal Offices, indicating persistent inefficiencies and corruption despite the implementation of a digital land management system. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-delays-persist-at-lands-offices-despite-digitisation-5500592
Despite the government’s investment in the National Land Information System (UgNLIS) to streamline land administration, a significant backlog of land transactions continues to plague Ministry Zonal Offices (MZOs). An audit by the Auditor General’s office highlights that a substantial portion of applications submitted between 2021 and 2025 were not resolved within the expected timeframes.
The report indicates that out of 934,645 land registration applications received by the MZOs, only 657,384 were processed, resulting in a completion rate of 70.3 percent. This falls short of the efficiency expected from the digitized system, with processing times often exceeding the benchmarks set in the ministry’s Client Service Charter.
While ministry officials cite incomplete documentation and issues with applicant fees as contributing factors, land lawyers and rights advocates point to deeper systemic problems. They argue that inefficiency, weak accountability, and corruption among some zonal office staff are the primary drivers of these persistent delays. These issues are exacerbated by informal charges levied on applicants, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like women.
The audit also uncovered a concerning trend of increasing backlogs, with over 98,000 applications unresolved by the end of the 2023/2024 financial year. The report specifically notes extensive delays in leasehold transactions, some stretching over a year.
Furthermore, the report identified 587 cases of land fraud across 17 MZOs during the four-year period, with common offenses including fraudulent procurement of titles and false pretence. The audit faulted the effectiveness of controls for detecting forged documents and highlighted inadequate staff training as a contributing factor to the persistence of fraud.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has acknowledged these challenges and stated that efforts are underway to improve documentation and combat fraud, including issuing first certificates of registration to customary and Mailo land owners to strengthen ownership claims.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)