The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, has urged local governments to ensure that land donated by members of the public for development projects is formally titled to prevent future ownership disputes.
Minister Nabakooba made the remarks while inspecting roads under construction in Mukono Municipality and Kira Municipality under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area road development programme.
During the visit, the minister, together with leaders from Mukono Municipality, inspected several roads currently under construction, including Kame Close, Nabuti Road, Nasuti–Ntawo Road and Cathedral Rise in Kira Municipality.
Nabakooba said the ongoing road works are expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce the time residents spend commuting to workplaces, offices and shopping centres.
She also expressed appreciation to landowners who voluntarily handed over portions of their land to enable the construction of the roads.
However, she cautioned local governments to ensure proper documentation of such land.
The minister explained that failure to obtain land titles could create future disputes, especially if relatives of those who donated the land later claim ownership and attempt to repossess it, potentially disrupting public infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Public Service, Mary Mugasa, commended the government for the ongoing infrastructure developments in Mukono and Kira municipalities. She said improved roads and street lighting would boost trade and allow businesses to operate for longer hours.
The Town Clerk of Mukono Municipality, Francis Byabagambi, said the project is progressing well due to strong cooperation between technical and political leaders.
Byabagambi noted that despite political differences, leaders have set aside their affiliations, including those from National Unity Platform, to support development initiatives.
He added that local leaders have also played an active role in advising and monitoring contractors working on the roads.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Mukono Municipality, Rodah Kagaga, thanked the government for prioritising road construction in the area.
However, she called on the Lands Minister to intervene in resolving land ownership issues affecting government offices in areas such as Mukono Central Division, Mukono District headquarters and Goma Division.
