Why land registration matters to Church of Uganda

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OPINION

By Sadiiki Adams

The Editorial of New Vision of Friday, September 5, 2025, rightly commended the Government for processing 4,000 land titles for Church of Uganda. This is an important step that deserves recognition because it safeguards the Church’s assets, strengthens accountability, and sets an example for individuals and institutions across Uganda.

For years, land disputes and land grabbing have caused painful conflicts in many parts of our country. Church of Uganda has not been spared, and without proper documentation, it has lost valuable property meant to serve communities in education, health, and mission.

Church of Uganda is one of the biggest non-state landowners in Uganda. The land it holds was given by Christians, and it has been used to build Churches, schools, hospitals, farms, and other community facilities. Sadly, some of this land has been targeted by grabbers who exploit weak systems and the lack of formal titles. The processing of land titles and the introduction of new systems is therefore not just a legal exercise, but a way of protecting a heritage that touches millions of lives.

During the official opening of a one-day training on the Land Information Management System for Church of Uganda’s Diocesan Secretaries and Estates Officers at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe on July 30, 2025, the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, warned that anyone who attempts to steal Church land will face the full weight of the law.

The new digital system developed by Church Commissioners Holding Company Ltd, described by the Group CEO, Rev. Dr. Jasper Tumuhimbise, as user-friendly, is designed to track, document, and secure Church land.

Once fully rolled out, it will enable Bishops, as the Registered Trustees, to monitor land in real time and make informed decisions. Coupled with the land titles issued by the Government, this digital innovation provides a strong safeguard against land grabbing.

The role of the Government, especially through the Ministry of Lands led by Hon. Judith Nabakooba, has been crucial. At the launch of the Church’s mass land registration on June 21, 2024, the Minister reminded leaders that the only real evidence of ownership is a land title, without which disputes are almost impossible to win. She encouraged the Church not only to register land but also to use it productively. In support of this, Government offered technical assistance to expedite the registration process.

All land was registered under the “Registered Trustees of the Church of Uganda”, since Dioceses are not legal entities in themselves. This centralised approach, approved by the Board of Trustees, was adopted to ensure uniform accountability, prevent fragmentation of ownership, and safeguard Church property from manipulation by individuals or groups. By consolidating land ownership under the “Registered Trustees”, the Church is closing loopholes that have previously led to loss of property, misunderstandings, and misuse.

The lesson from this exercise is one that goes beyond the Church. Across Uganda, many families still live on land that has been passed down for generations without titles. This leaves them exposed to encroachers and disputes that can tear families apart. The Church’s example should inspire Ugandans to take action. Registering land is no longer optional. It is the only way to guarantee security, avoid conflict, and prepare a future that is stable and prosperous.

With a clear understanding of the acreage of its land, the Church is now better positioned to plan strategically and establish projects that advance the vision of becoming a fast-growing, sustainable, Christ-centred institution.

The writer is the Communications Officer for Church of Uganda