Lands Ministry: Halt on Special Titles is to Protect Owners from Fraud

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has moved to clarify its recent decision to temporarily halt the issuance of special certificates of title. This measure, according to the ministry, is crucial for investigating existing irregularities within the land administration system and protecting vulnerable landowners.

A recent memorandum, dated October 6, 2026, revealed that the decision followed a meeting with Parliament’s Committee on Lands. The ministry explained that the halt was prompted by significant lapses that have led to the incorrect issuance of titles.

Special certificates of title are typically issued when an original title is lost, destroyed, or damaged. The process, governed by Section 69 of the Registration of Titles Act, requires applicants to provide evidence of loss, a statutory declaration, a police report, and undergo a public notice period for objections. However, the ministry acknowledged that these safeguards have not always been consistently followed, creating loopholes for errors.

“Some of the above procedures are sometimes not followed, or not taken seriously, or have lapses, leading to the erroneous issuance of special certificates of title, and that is precisely what the halt is investigating,” the ministry stated in its memorandum.

The ministry emphasized that this action is an administrative halt, not a suspension of the Commissioner’s statutory powers, and similar measures have been implemented in the past. They also highlighted that the current Registration of Titles Act is outdated and requires urgent amendment to address these vulnerabilities and strengthen controls. Proposals for amending the act are underway, which will be presented to Parliament through the established legislative process.

The primary objective, the ministry stressed, is to protect landownership rights. They argued that even a single instance of wrongful infringement is serious. The ministry also refuted claims that the halt would harm economic activity, noting public support for restoring order in land transactions and asserting the decision was made in good faith to protect the vulnerable.

Source: Nile Post