Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Judith Nabakooba has called for stronger collaboration between the Government and the Buganda Kingdom to streamline land registration and administration as part of efforts to address persistent land disputes and ownership conflicts.
Speaking during the Buganda Lukiiko members’ retreat at Muteesa I Royal University on August 6, Nabakooba said closer coordination between the two institutions would improve service delivery in the land sector and help resolve longstanding challenges affecting land administration.
“Our partnership will focus on a shared operational agenda designed to resolve long-standing issues and accelerate regional development,” she said.
The retreat, attended by Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, was held under the theme, “Enhancing the Standards and Conduct of Members of the Buganda Lukiiko.”
A key proposal under the partnership is the systematic registration of all bibanja holders on Buganda land. Nabakooba noted that many occupants remain undocumented, making it difficult for landlords, including the Buganda Kingdom, to effectively manage their land and increasing the likelihood of disputes.
She cited the Ministry’s experience under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) programme in the Greater Mubende sub-region, where hundreds of bibanja holders were registered and later issued with Certificates of Occupancy.
According to the minister, implementing a similar exercise across Buganda would help establish an accurate register of tenants, reduce land conflicts and improve land management.
Nabakooba also urged the Kingdom to work with the Government to identify and document absentee landlords, warning that land grabbers often exploit unclaimed land by producing forged ownership documents.
“The ministry and the Buganda Kingdom can jointly investigate, map and document absentee landlords to foster dialogue, formalise tenancy arrangements and resolve historical land disputes,” she said.
She further revealed that the Government is considering integrating the Kingdom’s Kyapa mu Ngalo land documentation initiative with the Ministry’s mass land titling programme to simplify the issuance of land titles.
Beyond addressing ownership disputes, Nabakooba urged the Kingdom to position land as a strategic factor of production capable of driving food security, industrialisation and household incomes. She said secure land ownership and proper land use planning would enable communities to invest in commercial agriculture, agro-processing and other productive enterprises that support economic transformation.
The minister also appealed to Lukiiko members to sensitise communities on the dangers of excessive land fragmentation, arguing that the practice has undermined agricultural productivity and contributed to the growth of unplanned settlements.
She encouraged families to retain land under a single trustee where possible and use it productively through agriculture and other income-generating activities.
Addressing the retreat, Katikkiro Mayiga said the annual gathering provides an opportunity for the Kingdom to review its achievements, assess ongoing programmes and identify areas requiring improvement.
He traced the evolution of the Buganda Lukiiko, describing it as the Kingdom’s highest decision-making platform whose role has adapted over time to changing political and social realities.
The premier explained that after the restoration of traditional kingdoms, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II initially worked with a small advisory council before formally relaunching the Buganda Lukiiko in 1992 using a clan-based representation system.
He said the current arrangement, under which the Kabaka appoints members of the Lukiiko, is intended to strengthen the Kingdom’s governance and improve service delivery to its subjects. The Katikkiro urged Lukiiko members to fully understand the Kingdom’s development programmes so they can effectively mobilise communities and explain their objectives.
Among the flagship initiatives he highlighted were the Ettoffaali campaign, Mmwanyi Terimba, the Situla Omutindo programme and efforts to improve the welfare of Kingdom employees.
Using the Ente ya Kabaka initiative as an example, Mayiga challenged members to generate innovative ideas that can strengthen agriculture, commerce and enterprise within Buganda.
“The world develops through ideas,” he said. “Societies stagnate when they stop generating innovative solutions.”
He also commended Lukiiko members for supporting the Mmwanyi Terimba coffee initiative, saying it has helped many households improve their incomes and escape poverty.
