Uganda to Implement Stricter Land Title Verification to Combat Fraud

The Ugandan Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is set to implement a more rigorous verification process for special land titles in an effort to curb fraudulent activities and bolster transparency within the nation’s land registration system. Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba announced that these reforms are designed to address existing loopholes and ensure that individuals with valid interests in land have a proper avenue to voice objections.

The new procedure will require applicants to complete an application form, provide a statutory declaration, and pay all necessary taxes and fees. Crucially, if a duplicate land title has been lost, destroyed, or damaged, the original document will undergo examination by the registrar.

Verification will extend beyond simple paperwork. The process will involve local authorities, including LC I committees and sub-county officials, along with survey departments and the registrar’s office. These bodies will be notified of applications for special certificates to scrutinize claims and verify the land’s circumstances.

A significant addition is a mandatory 30-day ground investigation. This on-site inspection aims to ascertain the land’s current status, confirm occupant details, identify any competing claims, and uncover potential issues that may warrant further inquiry.

Furthermore, the ministry will publish the names of individuals applying for special certificates in national newspapers each month. This public notice is intended to alert the wider community, giving anyone with an interest in the land an opportunity to raise concerns before a replacement title is issued. These measures are part of a larger strategy to strengthen the administration of special certificates, which are issued under specific legal conditions, such as the loss or damage of an original title.

Minister Nabakooba emphasized that the overarching goal is to protect the integrity of the land register and guarantee a transparent, accountable, and equitable process for all legitimate land claimants. The ministry plans to consult with stakeholders to translate these guidelines into formal regulations under the Registration of Titles Act.

This initiative represents a move towards greater reliance on documentary verification, local awareness, physical investigations, and public notification to safeguard the land registration system.

This information was reported by Nile Post.