At the heart of Uganda’s land and housing reforms stands Docus Okalanyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. During the launch of the Ministry Strategic Plan IV and the Service Delivery Standards at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, she delivered a message filled with hope, direction, and renewed commitment. Her speech highlighted the urgent need for better service delivery and the government’s determination to make land and housing services more transparent, faster, and accessible to every citizen.
In her opening remarks, PS Okalanyi warmly welcomed government leaders, development partners, ministry staff, and the media. She particularly appreciated the Head of Public Service, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, whose presence, she said, showed government’s strong interest in improving public services across the country. The event marked an important moment for the Ministry as it introduced two major documents that will guide Uganda’s land, housing, and urban development sector for the next five years.
PS Okalanyi explained that the Ministry remains committed to its core mandate—ensuring efficient land administration, organized urban development, and access to safe and affordable housing for all Ugandans. She emphasized that the new Strategic Plan IV and the Service Delivery Standards were designed to help the Ministry deliver this mandate with greater clarity, order, and accountability. Together, the two documents lay out a new direction for how services should be offered, from land title processing to urban planning.
She also highlighted the challenges Uganda currently faces, such as rapid population growth, expanding towns and cities, and the rising demand for secure land ownership and affordable housing. According to her, these challenges require modern systems, better coordination, and faster service delivery. The new Strategic Plan IV aligns with national goals like Vision 2040, NDP IV, and the NRM Manifesto, ensuring that the land sector contributes to economic growth and social well-being.
PS Okalanyi outlined the five strategic objectives that will guide the Ministry’s work. These include improving land administration, strengthening land use planning, building resilient urban areas, expanding access to affordable housing, and reinforcing policy and institutional coordination. She explained that these objectives were not just words on paper, but a roadmap for real transformation that Ugandans will feel at community level.
A major highlight of her speech was the introduction of new Service Delivery Standards. These standards show the exact time it should take to receive common services—such as one working day for a search letter, seven days for land title transfers, and ten days for boundary opening reports. She stressed that these timelines are “non-negotiable” and must be followed at the Ministry headquarters and all 22 Zonal Offices. A new Client Charter has also been created to help citizens understand their rights, fees, and where to report concerns.
PS Okalanyi called on all Ministry staff to embrace these reforms wholeheartedly. She encouraged them to integrate the new standards into their daily work, uphold professionalism, avoid corruption, and provide the technical support needed by local governments. She also thanked the Ministers, the National Planning Authority, and other government bodies for supporting the development of the two strategic instruments.
In her closing message, PS Docus Okalanyi reminded everyone that launching the documents was only the beginning. What matters most is full implementation, constant monitoring, and continuous improvement. With strong commitment and teamwork, she believes the Ministry can create a Uganda where land is secure, cities are well-planned, and every family has access to decent housing. Her words left the audience inspired, hopeful, and ready to support the journey toward a better and more orderly Uganda.
