400 Bibanja Owners Obtain Security of Tenure through Land Governance Project

In an effort to resolve land conflicts and prevent forced evictions, 400 Bibanja owners in Gomba District have received Certificates of Occupancy (CoOs), granting them formal security over their land.

The certificates were issued under the Improvement of Land Governance in Uganda (ILGU) project, a collaboration between Uganda’s Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The initiative, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), operates on a €4.4 million budget aimed at securing land rights for vulnerable communities, especially women and marginalized groups.

This latest issuance follows an earlier phase of the project in 2021, where over 112 certificates were distributed in Mityana, Kassanda, Mubende, Kiboga, and Butambala.

Speaking at the event, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba emphasized that securing land tenure is critical in resolving disputes between tenants and landlords. “I also congratulate the women who have registered their Bibanja. Under section 29 of the 1998 land act, these occupants are statutory tenants on the Mailo land and cannot be evicted,” she said.

Gina Nabata, Portfolio Manager at GIZ, highlighted the project’s broader impact on land governance in Uganda. “We have documented over 90,000 land parcels, giving people security over their land. This effort is about ensuring no one lives in fear of eviction,” she stated.

For many beneficiaries, the Certificates of Occupancy mark a turning point in their ability to plan for the future. Imaret Leonard, one of the recipients, shared how land insecurity had previously hindered his ambitions. “I wanted to build a school, but the landlord wouldn’t allow it. Now, I finally have the freedom to develop my land,” he said.

Annet Nakanjako, another beneficiary, reflected on the distressing reality of land evictions and expressed gratitude for the initiative. “We have seen people lose everything overnight. But now, we are informed about our rights, and this certificate means we can build without fear,” she remarked.

Land disputes remain a major challenge in Uganda, often leading to violent conflicts and displacements. Through projects like ILGU, the government and its development partners aim to create a more transparent, fair, and secure land tenure system that empowers citizens to invest in their future without fear of eviction.