The government is in the process of distributing 12,644 freehold land titles to the residents of Biharwe and Nyakayojo in Mbarara city. This initiative aims to safeguard them from potential evictions and enhance their overall well-being.
These beneficiaries come from different wards, including Bugashe, Kichwamba, Rwakishakizi, and Katojo in the southern part of Mbarara city, as well as Nyabuhama and Rwenjeru wards in the northern part of the city.
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Francis Barabanawe, the chairperson of the Mbarara City Land Board, explained that, in collaboration with the lands ministry, they processed residents’ applications for these titles under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) program. This process involves systematically categorizing parcels of land within a specific area.
“To date, a total of 801 freehold titles have been issued to the beneficiaries. We are confident that this project will not only secure the beneficiaries’ land rights but also enhance their financial prospects by enabling them to access loans from financial institutions, using these titles as collateral,” Barabanawe informed Mayor Robert Kakyebezi in his yearly performance report. This information is based on a copy of the report seen by New Vision.
Barabanawe stressed that this initiative is expected to encourage investments, alleviate poverty, and stimulate local economic development across the entire city. He mentioned that his board, guided by the lands ministry and the Mbarara city physical planning committee, approved the applications of 12,644 individuals.
“All relevant processes, laws, and regulations were meticulously adhered to,” Barabanawe assured, adding that the beneficiaries will receive these titles upon the completion of the SLAAC project.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Government of Uganda, the lands ministry, and support from the World Bank. Its goal is to outline and provide certificates of freehold titles to beneficiaries in specific parishes and wards, thereby reinforcing land tenure security.
Lands minister Judith Nabakooba, who has been overseeing the distribution of these titles nationwide, emphasized that the government introduced a comprehensive program of systematic land titling.
She stated that one of the commitments outlined in the NRM’s 2021 election manifesto was to aid landowners in obtaining land titles, thereby mitigating land disputes, evictions, and safeguarding citizens from the repercussions of unregistered land.
Nabakooba urged the recipients to make prudent use of their land and titles, utilizing them for productive purposes rather than as collateral for loans or in risky ventures.
She also cautioned against falling victim to scammers and opportunists and encouraged landowners to maintain the integrity of their titles.
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