Land and Land Use are Central to Our Values of Human Dignity, Minister Says at the Launch of the Land Conference 2023

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Jun 23, 2023 - 06:30

Land and Land Use are Central to Our Values of Human Dignity, Minister Says at the Launch of the Land Conference 2023

The Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Hon Judith Nabakooba has launched the Land Conference, 2023, under the theme; "Mobilizing Stakeholders to Modernize Land Management in Uganda."

In her keynote address, Hon Nabakooba told delegates that, "Land and Land use are central our values of human dignity, equality and other fundamental freedoms."

"I take this opportunity on behalf of Government to thank you all for the work you are doing in addressing the issues of land and inequality in Uganda through mobilizing for the implementation of the CEDP land component interventions," she said.

In Uganda’s context, land is owned under the four tenure systems of Mailo, leasehold, freehold and customary systems.

"If we are to successfully implement the NRM manifesto to its fullest, then it is important that address the issue of access and utilisation of land," Nabakooba noted.

Although the land size of Uganda does not increase, the population has increased from a mere 6 million in 1962 to an estimated 40 million of which only 25% are in urban areas and 75% are on the rural land and not effectively utilizing the land for production.

Data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics UBOS shows that by the year 2035, Uganda’s population is projected at 50 million, and by 2050, the population will be 100 million. This means that the land size shall not be enough for all of us unless we invest in proper land management practices and optimal land use.

Hon Nabakooba revealed that the initial NRM 10 Point Programme identified some of the problems arising out of the numerous land conflicts, which include;

1. Land inequality increases poverty in that the limited access to and lack of ownership of land by marginalized and vulnerable groups is a key factor keeping people in poverty. In this way land inequalities perpetuate poverty;

2. Land inequality inhibits growth. A more equitable distribution of land contributes greatly to social cohesion, which in turn leads to more inclusiveness and hence promotion of Parish Development Model (PDM);

3. Land inequality increases food insecurity. If most of our people are hungry and without land to produce food, then we risk exacerbating food insecurity and depending on food handouts;

4. Land inequality undermines the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups and their exposure to gender violence and reduced productivity. Securing and strengthening the land rights of these groups is Government’s priority as it would be essential and a right in itself. It is also vital for all Ugandans to be able to make their full contribution to transformation of this country through inclusive and sustainable land use practices, agricultural productivity, and improved household health, nutrition, and education; and

5. Land inequality drives evictions, deforestation, wetland encroachment and climate change. We have all seen the countless evictions of tenants;dumping of soil in wetlands; the severe and prolonged droughts and rains to mention but a few.

"The Government now needs to address these land issues by:

1. Registering land and issuing Legal Documentation to the 70% unregistered Land owners;

2. Mobilizing Communities and Clans to form Communal Land Associations in order to curb land fragmentation (land with disability);

3. Up scaling the implementation of the systematic land adjudication and certification to support the PDM pillars (Production, Storage, Processing & Marketing, Financial inclusion, Infrastructure and economic services and Mindset change);

4. Enhancing the Land Information System to increase Government revenue collection;

5. Curbing illegal Land Evictions and strengthening alternative dispute resolution;

6. Strengthening land use planning through implementation of the NPDP; and

7. Securing the land rights of women and other marginalized groups," Nabakooba emphasized.

She thanked H.E the President for his continuous guidance on the issue of land registration and discouraging land fragmentation.

"I am confident that land tenure security shall be achieved through this mobilization and implementation of the CEDP land component interventions and other government programmes," Lands Minister reiterated as she declared the Land Conference 2023 officially open.