The Status of the NRM Manifesto (2021-26) Implementation Report for the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development

*By John Kusolo*

Presented on November 26, 2024, the report provides a detailed update on the progress made towards achieving key commitments in land management, housing, and urban development. Below is a summary of the commitments and their status:

LAND MANAGEMENT

1. Resolve Dual Ownership and Increase the Land Fund

Achievements:

Uganda Land Commission (ULC) acquired 126,995.91 Ha from absentee landlords in regions like Buganda, Ankole, Bunyoro, and Toro.

11,819 land titles processed for lawful and bonafide occupants; 6,000 titles under processing in Kagadi and Kakumiro.

Challenges: Funding increase request to MoFPED and NPA remains unaddressed.

2. Cancel Titles on Customary Land

Achievements:

Cancelled one freehold land title (7,537.34 Ha) in Agago District.

Initiated cancellation of a 2,043.25 Ha freehold title in Amuru District.

3. Support Customary Land Registration

Achievements:

90,000 Certificates of Customary Ownership (CCOs) issued across 20 districts.

Formed 903 Communal Land Associations (CLAs) and integrated CCO records into the National Land Information System (NLIS).

4. Scale Up Systematic Land Demarcation

Achievements:

Registered 125,000 freehold titles through SLAAC in districts like Kiruhura and Mbarara.

Demarcated 346,222 parcels in 19 local governments; 6,556 titles prepared in refugee-hosting districts.

5. Clean Land Registry and Cancel Duplicate Titles

Achievements:

Cancelled 964 land titles.

Improved survey quality through 24 Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS).

6. Resolve Customary Land Conflicts

Achievements:

Trained leaders in Karamoja and other regions on resolving land conflicts.

Established mediation committees and conducted land awareness campaigns.

7. Roll Out Land Information System Portals

Achievements:

Launched UgNLIS portals for instant land title searches.

Established one-stop service centers and a call center (0800 100 004).

8. Integrate Land Systems with Other Agencies

Achievements:

Integrated NLIS with NIRA, URA, URSB, and others for improved data sharing.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

9. Promote Decent and Affordable Housing

Achievements:

Conducted housing barazas and distributed prototype house plans in 20+ districts.

10. Improve Slum Conditions

Achievements:

Identified slums in eight urban areas; mobilized communities into housing savings groups.

11. Reduce Building Material Costs

Achievements:

Developed a Housing Innovation Support Center project to boost affordable housing solutions.

12. Recapitalize National Housing Corporation

Achievements:

Secured UGX 30 billion of the UGX 118 billion capital required.

13. Recapitalize Housing Finance Bank

Achievements:

Provided 10,000+ annual mortgages to support incremental housing development.

Feasibility study for a mortgage liquidity facility conducted.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

14. Improve Roads and Infrastructure

Achievements:

Constructed/rehabilitated 214.1 km of urban roads in cities like Gulu, Jinja, and Mbarara.

Installed 12,573 solar streetlights and 42.3 km of open drains.

15. Improve Roads in Refugee-Hosting Districts

Achievements:

Made 408.2 km of community access roads motorable.

Constructed 46 subprojects, including markets, parks, and playgrounds to foster peaceful coexistence.

LAND USE PLANNING

16. Address Land Fragmentation

Achievements:

Developed the National Physical Development Plan (2021–2040) to guide land use.

This report highlights the milestones achieved, ongoing initiatives, and the challenges faced in implementing the NRM manifesto. The Ministry continues to work towards its mission of rational and sustainable land use, improved housing, and orderly urban development.