The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development is taking steps to professionalize the real estate sector in Uganda in an effort to address the growing problem of land conflicts.
The ministry is conducting regional consultative meetings to gather input from stakeholders on the draft Real Estate Bill 2024 before it is presented to Parliament.
Land conflicts in Uganda have become increasingly common, leading to property losses, economic setbacks, and even loss of life.
These disputes have also overwhelmed courts with case backlogs, delaying justice for many. While land conflicts arise from various issues, brokers and agents have been identified as significant contributors to the problem.
The proposed bill seeks to regulate and standardize the real estate sector. According to State Minister for Lands Sam Mayanja, the aim is to establish clear standards, ethics, and regulations for land agents.
“They should have a professional body which can discipline them such that people can finally have trust in them,” Mayanja explained during a regional consultative meeting on the draft bill.
The minister emphasized the importance of professionalizing the sector, which provides numerous job opportunities.
He noted, “From developing that land, there are jobs. There are also jobs in looking for land, so it’s an important sector, and we can’t leave it unregulated.”
If enacted, the law will require all land brokers to have known offices and renewable operational licenses.
The regulation aims to ensure due diligence in land transactions, including verifying ownership and resolving title disputes before any sale is completed.
Mayanja warned that agents who refuse to comply with the new regulations would face legal action and be removed from the industry.
"Only the regulated ones will be in business," he added.
The minister also expressed his commitment to curbing unethical behavior in the sector, stating, “We want to eradicate alcoholism and ensure professionalism in the sector. Whoever now deals in land must show their professional license and registered office.”
In a related development, Minister Mayanja intervened in Mbarara City’s Karanorya suburb, where over 20,000 residents were facing eviction by unknown individuals.
He directed the security guards on the disputed land to vacate immediately or face arrest and ordered a status quo to protect the affected residents.