Residents of Kibaale District have raised concerns over alleged corruption and prolonged delays in the processing of land titles, saying the challenges continue to affect land ownership and fuel disputes within communities.
The concerns were raised during a community sensitisation meeting organised by the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) on the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAC) programme, ahead of the issuance of more than 2,000 land titles covering 647 hectares (1,600 acres) of land purchased by the government from Fred Kasozi for beneficiary communities.
The land, located on Block 241, Plot 1 in Buyanga, covers Kasambya, Kineka A, Kikonge, and Kidukuule villages in Buyanga Sub-county, Kibaale District.
Residents welcomed the initiative but questioned why many beneficiaries under previous phases of the programme are yet to receive their land titles despite completing the registration process several years ago.
They argued that the delays have created uncertainty over land ownership and contributed to an increase in land-related disputes.
Community members also alleged that corruption within the land administration process has made it difficult for vulnerable people to access land titles, with some officials reportedly demanding bribes before processing applications.
Ibrahim John Mulumba, a resident of Kibaale Town Council, said he applied for a land title more than six years ago but has never received it.
“Some of us processed our land titles over six years ago, but they have never been released. We believe some of the delays are because people could not afford to pay bribes. Corruption among some land officers has frustrated many applicants,” Mulumba said.
He further claimed that only a few people managed to obtain land titles through the intervention of adjudication committees.
Janepher Mbabazi, a resident of Kikonge A Village, accused some government officials of promoting corruption, which she said has contributed to increasing cases of land grabbing.
Matia Birungi, the LC I Chairperson of Kasambya Village, welcomed the government’s intervention, saying the programme offers a lasting solution to persistent land conflicts affecting communities.
Augustine Bugara from the Uganda Land Commission warned officials against engaging in corrupt practices, noting that such behaviour undermines government programmes intended to improve people’s livelihoods.
“Corruption sabotages government programmes and denies intended beneficiaries the services they deserve,” Bugara said.
Vincent Kasaija, the LC II Chairperson of Kibaale, applauded the government for rolling out the programme, saying secure land ownership would promote peaceful coexistence and create a stable environment for economic development.
Kenneth Kabyanga, Chairperson of Kibaale Town Council, urged the Commission to ensure that land titling is implemented in line with the town’s physical development plan to avoid future planning challenges within the central business area.
Tom John Kasenge, a Commissioner at the Uganda Land Commission, said the programme is intended to improve community livelihoods by securing land rights and reducing land-related conflicts.
“The programme is aimed at promoting community livelihoods through agriculture by securing land ownership and ensuring communities live in a conflict-free environment,” Kasenge said.
He explained that communities who have occupied the land as bona fide occupants would eventually receive legal ownership, enabling them to invest confidently in long-term development.
Kasenge also outlined the requirements for processing land titles, noting that beneficiaries would pay processing fees ranging between Shs30,000 and Shs40,000.
He said the exercise would begin with community mobilisation, followed by boundary opening, land surveys, plot subdivision, and eventual issuance of land titles.
Responding to concerns raised by residents, Kasenge assured the community that the Commission remains committed to addressing challenges affecting the programme and finding sustainable solutions to land disputes.
Meanwhile, Kibaale Resident District Commissioner Stephen Byaruhanga acknowledged the existence of corruption within the district’s land administration system, alleging that some officials attached to the District Land Board had frustrated legitimate applicants.
“There have been corruption tendencies involving some officials, and many people have failed to benefit because of those practices,” Byaruhanga said.
He requested the Uganda Land Commission to provide his office with records from previous land title processing exercises to facilitate investigations into cases where beneficiaries never received their titles.
“Having this information will enable the security team to investigate those who frustrated the process and ensure accountability,” he added.
John Byarugaba, a staff surveyor in the Kibaale District Lands Office, said preparations for the latest land title distribution exercise had been completed.
“We already have everything in place, including survey stones, and we are ready to begin the exercise,” Byarugaba said.
He explained that under Block 244, Plot 20 in Karuguza, 912 land titles were processed and all beneficiaries received them, while under Block 178, Plot 1 in Nyamarunda Town Council, 1,517 land titles were processed, although a few remain uncollected.
He added that approximately 200 land titles under Block 244, Plot 19 in Buyaga, Karuguza, are still pending processing.
