national 17 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Suspends Special Land Title Issuance Amid Fraud Concerns
The Ministry of Lands has temporarily halted the issuance of special land titles due to widespread abuse, sparking debate among legal experts about the legality and impact of the decision. The suspension aims to curb fraudulent applications where original titles are misused or falsely reported as lost. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/special-land-titles-suspended-what-this-means-for-property-owners-5561764
The issuance of special land titles in Uganda has been suspended by the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, due to rampant misuse. Minister Nabakooba stated that the directive was implemented after discovering instances where individuals applied for duplicate titles claiming the originals were lost, when in fact they were held by money lenders, lawyers, or relatives. This practice, she noted, has also been exploited by estate administrators who seek new titles without proper verification of existing ones.
This suspension has drawn criticism from land rights lawyers and activists who argue that the Minister’s directive is unlawful and could negatively impact land transactions. They contend that the Land Act clearly outlines the procedure for obtaining a special title when an original is lost and that a minister cannot unilaterally ban this process. Concerns have been raised that the suspension will lead to delays in payments, stall property development, and affect land dealers who rely on clear title processes.
Minister Nabakooba, however, emphasized that the suspension is temporary, lasting until December, while the ministry develops stricter guidelines. She highlighted specific cases in Kyengera and Kabula where special titles were allegedly issued for land with existing claims, fueling disputes and creating opportunities for land grabbers. The minister warned ministry officials against issuing special certificates during this period, threatening arrest for non-compliance.
A special certificate of title is a replacement issued by the Registrar of Titles when the original is lost, destroyed, or damaged. The process typically involves an application, statutory declaration, Gazette notice, and payment of fees. The Ministry aims to review and strengthen these procedures to restore public confidence in the land administration system.