news 1 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Parliament to Scrutinize Suspension of Special Land Titles
Parliament has sent the government's decision to temporarily halt the issuance of special land titles to its Lands Committee for review, citing concerns over potential legal implications and impacts on landowners. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parliament-to-scrutinise-suspension-of-special-land-titles-5580430
The Ugandan Parliament is set to closely examine the government’s recent decision to suspend the routine issuance of Special Certificates of Title for a period of three months. This move, initiated by the Ministry of Lands, comes after numerous complaints alleging that these special titles were being issued even when original duplicate certificates still existed.
Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has directed the Committee on Lands to investigate the ministerial statement regarding this suspension. The committee will integrate this review with its ongoing inquiry into widespread fraud and double titling issues within the land sector.
The suspension followed reports from various stakeholders, including registered landowners, financial institutions, and estate administrators, who raised alarms about instances where special certificates were allegedly obtained despite the presence of original titles. Minister of State for Lands, Harriet Ntabazi, explained that some original titles were reportedly held by money lenders, advocates, or relatives, leading to allegations of double titling and fraudulent transactions, particularly concerning land belonging to deceased individuals.
While the Ministry insists the suspension is not meant to abolish special certificates but rather to strengthen procedures and curb abuse, concerns have been raised about landowners who genuinely lose their original titles during this period. Those relying on land titles as security for loans are particularly worried about their inability to obtain replacement documents for crucial transactions.
Some Members of Parliament have questioned the legality of the suspension, arguing that the reasons provided do not align with the exceptions stipulated in the law for halting title issuance. However, others, including the Chairperson of the Lands Committee, have supported the temporary measure, acknowledging the severe backlog of land-related cases in courts stemming from fraud.
The government aims to restore confidence in the land registration system and ensure that only legitimate proprietors can obtain replacement certificates, thereby reinforcing the integrity of the land registry. The Ministry plans to collaborate with various agencies, including legal and financial institutions, to identify and address systemic weaknesses during this review period.