Government Gives Local Authorities Two-Week Ultimatum to Account for Public Land

The Ugandan government has issued a strict 14-day ultimatum to local authorities nationwide to fully account for all government-owned land within their respective jurisdictions. The directive is part of an aggressive push by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to create a comprehensive and authoritative national register of public assets.

Under the new directive, key local government officials—including Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, and district land officers—must compile and deliver detailed records. These documents must outline the exact location, ownership status, current occupancy, and existing legal documentation for every parcel of government land.

State Minister for Lands Harriet Ntabazi announced the directive during a regional stakeholders’ workshop on the Comprehensive Government Land Inventory held at the Hoima Resort Hotel in the Bunyoro Sub-region. She instructed local authorities to urgently appoint focal persons, ensure the accuracy of their records, and cooperate fully with verification teams.

Minister Ntabazi emphasized that the inventory is vital for determining the exact volume, location, and legal status of public property, which will significantly improve asset protection. She recalled that upon taking office, her immediate concern was the absence of a reliable inventory to guide the supervision of state assets.

Without an authoritative register, authorities argue it remains exceedingly difficult to safeguard public land from encroachment or to plan critical infrastructure effectively. Properly documented land is essential for rolling out public projects such as schools, health centers, roads, and forestry initiatives, while securing resources for future generations.

Spearheaded jointly by the Ministry of Lands and the Uganda Land Commission, the nationwide inventory aims to identify, reclaim, document, and register public properties. Ultimately, the government anticipates that the resulting database will enhance transparency, curb widespread public land losses, and guide future public investments. Read more details on the Nile Post.