Property developers back suspension of special land titles
Property developers and landowners in Uganda support the Ministry of Lands' three-month suspension of special land titles, which were being abused for fraudulent land sales. They advocate for legal reforms to the Land Act to tighten requirements and prevent future fraud and land grabbing. The suspension aims to curb a rise in complaints involving fraudulent statutory declarations used for replacement titles.
Why it matters
This issue directly impacts land ownership security, property development, and the legal framework in Uganda, potentially reducing fraud and protecting citizens' assets from illegal acquisition.
Property developers and landowners have welcomed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development’s decision to suspend the issuance of special certificates of title, saying the provision has been abused to fraudulently sell the same piece of land to multiple buyers.
The stakeholders, however, want Parliament and the Attorney General to review the Land Act and tighten the requirements for obtaining special certificates of title to curb fraud and land grabbing.
Mr Festo Kasajja, a city property developer who spoke on behalf of the group, said the three-month suspension announced by the ministry would only have a lasting impact if it was followed by legal reforms.
“We are in support of the directive, but this should be backed by law to make it effective and minimise cases of land grabbing in the country,” Mr Kasajja told journalists on Friday.
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