Lands Ministry Committed To Environmental Conservation - Minister Nabakooba Assures World Bank.

The minister of Lands, Housing  and Urban Development Hon.Judith Nalule Nabakooba has revealed that Government has made commendable progress towards realizing the sustainable Development Goal 13 that emphasizes environmental preservation. 

"Our entire existence  as a country is based on how best we manage our environment".Said Minister Nabakooba. 

Hon Nabakooba attributed the environmental preservation to the land tenure systems and land utilization. 

"In Uganda ,land is still the major resource for survival and livelihood and 89% of the population is involved in Agriculture. All sectors are based on land and are pivotal for strategic investments including Agriculture such as Sugar plantaions, livestock,pail oil, and food production.Oil and gas, mineral extraction and infrastructure development sectors must be developed responsibly under pinned by robust legal framework like the land Act 237,Article 26 and the community engagement policies, to ensure that they can contribute positively to the environment and society". She said. 

Minister Nabakooba made this address at the World Bank Land Conference  organized by the World Bank. 

She added that Uganda has enbacked on implementing the interventions enshrined in the legal framework like that vests land in the citizens (Uga da'constitution Article 237, The acquisition of land by the government were governments ensures prompt and adequate compensation to land lords,the Uganda' National Land Policy 2013, The National  Physical Development Plan which also provides framework for land use, management and climate change activities  among other engagements. 

The minister however highlighted the several Challenges to implementing strategic land investments for climate action such as Multiple Land Tenure systems like the most significant component Customary 80% being the majority not secured, documented and unregistered.

Securing land rights on a community land is challenging since food security and livelihood support are needed.

Also sensitization and awareness creation of communities to enable them to have the capacity to defend their land rights, balancing interests between communities and government's strategic investments plus customs and norms that govern customary land are not aligned with the legal framework. 

The minister said, how strategic investments are handled significantly influences the link between land and management and climate action in Uganda.

" Ensuring these investments are sustainable, supported by robust legal framework and inclusive of community inputs is crucial for achieving lasting environmental and economic benefits". The minister emphasized.