government 14 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Minister Nabakooba Urges District Leaders to Resist Political Pressure on Public Land
Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has called on district leaders and land officials to resist political interference and protect public land from illegal allocations and encroachment. She warned that issuing freehold titles over government property creates significant legal and administrative challenges. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/resist-political-pressure-on-public-land-minister-nabakooba-warns-district-leaders-5557154
Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has issued a stern warning to local government leaders and district land board members, urging them to stand firm against political pressure to allocate government property to private individuals. Speaking at a regional stakeholders’ workshop in Mukono, Ms. Nabakooba emphasized the importance of safeguarding public land for present and future development.
“Don’t be intimidated by politicians,” she stated. “Let’s not allow political influence to lead you to make the mistake of giving away government land to private individuals.”
The minister highlighted that lax supervision and a failure by responsible officers to protect state property have led to the increased vulnerability of public land to grabbing and irregular transactions. She specifically cautioned land officers against issuing freehold titles over public land, noting that such actions create severe administrative and legal hurdles for the state, often requiring lengthy court battles for reversal.
Ms. Nabakooba stressed that even land occupied by public institutions like schools or hospitals, if lacking formal titles, must be protected by land officials. The Ministry of Lands is currently spearheading the creation of a comprehensive government land inventory to track the location, legal status, boundaries, usage, and threats to public estates nationwide.
This initiative aims to provide the government with a reliable and updatable picture of its land assets. Officials were urged to act swiftly, particularly in rapidly developing districts, to secure state land against encroachment and pressure from population growth and infrastructure demands. While unlawful occupants will be removed, the ministry assures fair treatment for those with legitimate claims through lawful means.
The workshop, organized by the Uganda Land Commission (ULC), involved leaders from several districts, including Kayunga, Buikwe, Wakiso, Nakaseke, Luweero, and Nakasongola, as part of a national campaign to support the land inventory rollout. ULC Chairperson Prof. Pen-Mogi Nyeko reinforced the minister’s message, emphasizing that protecting public land is crucial for national development and major government projects.