The Land Awareness Week 2025 concluded in Mbale City with government officials, civil society organizations, and citizens celebrating progress in land registration and management. The event, held at Mayors Gardens on Republic Street, brought together the Resident City Commissioner, Members of Parliament, the Mayor, local government officials from Bugisu and Sebei districts, and many citizens eager to learn more about land ownership and rights.
Minister of State for Lands, Hon. Dr. Sam Mayanja, expressed his gratitude to the Resident City Commissioner, district authorities, and land actors for organizing the week-long event. He assured citizens that petitions received during the campaign would be addressed, emphasizing that the government was committed to resolving land disputes and supporting proper land management. He specifically mentioned ongoing negotiations over the Kakungulu land issue and urged tenants to remain calm while the Uganda Land Commission and Mbale MZO finalized boundary measurements.
On environmental concerns, the Minister highlighted the issue of pollution from mining activities in Bubambuli, calling on residents to report violations to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). He stressed the importance of protecting government land and critical ecological areas like Elgon National Park, warning that failure to comply could lead to further landslides and environmental disasters.
Dr. Mayanja also addressed the registration of customary land, noting that no clans in Bugisu or Sebei had yet been formally registered as legal entities. He condemned practices that harm widows and stressed the need for ongoing community sensitization to educate citizens about their rights. He encouraged Mbale MZO staff to work with partners such as ZOA and CORDAID to support the demand for customary land registration.
The Minister praised implementing partners, including Actogether, UN Habitat, GLTN, and local city divisions, for helping the urban poor register their land and build capacities for revenue generation through Certificates of Customary Ownership (CCOs). Over 1,055 CCOs had been issued, protecting the land rights of approximately 10,550 residents. He emphasized that securing these titles was essential to prevent land grabbing, fraud, or eviction by unscrupulous individuals.
Land actors were also acknowledged for providing legal tools and educational materials to District Land Management institutions. Dr. Mayanja highlighted a Luganda book on land compiled from his radio programs as a valuable resource for Area Land Committees. He encouraged new landowners to use their titles to develop their properties and benefit from government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga funds.
Dennis Obbo, representing the Permanent Secretary, reinforced the Minister’s message and commended the urban poor for their efforts in planning and registering their land. He also called for continued support for Persons with Disabilities and stressed the importance of legal aid services to help citizens navigate land disputes. The ongoing campaign aims to increase customary land registration, which currently stands at less than 5% in the region.
The Land Awareness Week, according to officials, will continue throughout the year, ensuring that citizens are informed, empowered, and able to protect their land rights. The event concluded with a strong message: land registration is not just a legal requirement—it is a pathway to security, development, and community empowerment.
