The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has stepped forward to address the rising cases of land disputes and crimes across Uganda, despite the presence of laws meant to protect land ownership and tenure security. These disputes have been causing social tension, slowing investment, and creating uncertainty for communities, prompting urgent action from the government.
Article 237 of the 1995 Constitution guarantees land ownership to all Ugandans. Laws such as the Land Act, Mortgage Act, and Succession Act further protect the rights of lawful occupants, spouses, and widows. For example, spousal consent is required for family land transactions and mortgaging property, while widows are legally protected to inherit their deceased husband’s estate.
Despite these protections, Uganda has witnessed a sharp increase in land-related crimes. According to the Uganda Police, cases rose from 397 in 2024 to 663 in 2025, marking a 67% increase. The Ministry notes that these conflicts stem from fragmented laws, unscrupulous land agents, document forgery, absentee landlords, unlawful evictions, boundary disputes, and unregistered land issues.
To tackle these challenges, the government has introduced several measures. Administrative Circular No. 1 of 2025 mandates thorough oversight of large land transactions and prohibits evictions by heirs, administrators, or private security companies without involving District Security Committees and consulting the Ministry.
Court-sanctioned evictions are also regulated, requiring valid court orders, proper notice to affected persons (90–120 days), presence of police or local authorities, respect for human rights, and careful handling of property. Evictions must occur only during working hours, excluding weekends and public holidays.
Other government initiatives include allowing tenants to deposit annual ground rent for absentee landlords through the Uganda Revenue Authority, mass titling to resolve boundary disputes, and the adoption of blockchain and artificial intelligence to prevent fraud in land transactions. Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted to educate citizens about their land rights.
Capacity building and retooling of land management institutions are underway to improve service delivery and strengthen tenure security. These interventions aim to reduce land crimes, encourage investment, increase government revenue, and maintain social harmony.
The Ministry calls on all stakeholders, including Resident District Commissioners, to remain vigilant, enforce legal procedures, and promote peace in their communities. The government remains committed to safeguarding land rights, ensuring social justice, and fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and stability.
