Government recalls overlapping land titles in major registry clean-up
Following these findings, the Commissioner for Land Registration, Mugaino Baker, invoked provisions under the Land Act and issued a Notice of Intention to correct the land register.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has announced the recall of multiple Certificates of Title found to overlap with an already existing title held by the Uganda Investment Authority, in a move aimed at restoring integrity in the country’s land registry.
In a recent press release, the ministry said the affected titles span several blocks and plots registered under different instruments, but were found to conflict with a primary title under Freehold Register Volume 379 Folio 11.
According to the statement, the action follows a formal complaint lodged by the Uganda Investment Authority, which is the registered proprietor of the land in question. The Authority alleged that several titles had been irregularly issued over its land, prompting investigations by the Department of Surveys and Mapping.
The ministry revealed that a boundary opening and survey analysis confirmed extensive overlaps across multiple plots in Kyaggwe Block 111, Block 113, Block 133 and Block 561, among others. Some of the contested plots were found to encroach on the Authority’s land, with one case involving an overlap of up to 2.419 hectares.
Following these findings, the Commissioner for Land Registration, Mugaino Baker, invoked provisions under the Land Act and issued a Notice of Intention to correct the land register. A public hearing was subsequently conducted in compliance with legal procedures, where it was established that the Uganda Investment Authority’s title was the first to be registered, dating back to December 14, 2001.
“In light of the principles of land registration, particularly the priority of instruments, all certificates of title issued overlapping the Uganda Investment Authority land are hereby recalled,” the statement noted.
The affected title holders have been directed to surrender their duplicate certificates to the Ministry within seven days for cancellation.
The ministry said the exercise is part of an ongoing effort to clean up the land register, address historical inconsistencies, and curb fraudulent land transactions. Copies of the directive have been shared with key government offices, including the ministers responsible for lands and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
The move underscores growing government efforts to tackle land disputes, which remain a significant challenge in Uganda’s property sector.
