Samuel Amanya
Agaba Martin, the senior land management officer of Rukungiri district, has advised people to visit their local land offices to register their land and obtain land titles in order to confirm their ownership of land properties.
According to Martin, land titles are crucial because they provide landowners with the legal right to use their land without interference from others.
He also mentioned that a significant portion of Ugandans, approximately 80%, do not possess land titles for their properties.
This lack of land titles can lead to disputes, as individuals may unknowingly claim ownership of land that belongs to someone else. Martin stressed that having a land title provides greater security to the landowner compared to those who do not possess one.
Martin recommended that people visit their sub-county offices to initiate the process of acquiring land titles and then submit the necessary paperwork to the District Land Board. The District Land Board issues a freehold letter that confirms the landowner’s ownership rights.
Furthermore, Martin expressed disapproval of individuals who misinterpret the law stating that those who were residing on a piece of land for 12 years prior to the 1995 constitution, without any land disputes, are protected by law and can claim ownership of the land.
