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In Uganda, possession of a land title is no longer enough to prove the ownership of property.

The amended Land Act, however, emphasises the supremacy of the title as the most fundamental instrument to show proof of land ownership. 

That said, currently, many title holders are in the courts of law, contesting multiple titling cases on their properties. 

Village local council offices are also battling the same cases, trying to reconcile neighbours embroiled in disputes over plots of land, with or without titles.

Currently, there is a widespread perception across the country that powerful and wealthy community members take precedence over ownership and boundaries in order to grab land. 

Recently, in Bunyoro sub-region, Kadagi district, many families were left homeless after land grabbers demolished their houses. 

Many of these people hold land titles. Most Ugandans, especially the poor, are now worried and puzzled, wondering how they can protect themselves and secure their properties against land grabbers. 

Intervention

To protect their property, some landowners have resorted to hiring gangs to guard their properties. 

This is why some experts in land matters want the Government to strengthen property rights. And it can be achieved through various means, such as reforming land laws, creating land registries, and implementing policies that ensure equitable access to land, among others.

“But also, at the individual level, the solution to land grabbing is the establishment of effective land-use planning,” advises David Balondemu, the chairman of the Kampala District Land Board.

Set up small gardens or a ring fence

Experts suggest that the easiest way to protect your land and succeed at effectively planning for and using it is to fence it off. Set up a small garden, and plant some matooke, cassava, sweet potatoes, or maize. 

“Idle land is very attractive to land grabbers, especially land and houses with signposts, reading property not for sale,” notes Mulondo.

Alternatively, some property owners have decided to ring-fence their properties with barbed wire. While others are building perimeter walls before constructing houses. 

However, Geofrey Kizito, a builder, says building perimeter walls may be expensive for low-income earners. He advises them to use the resources they have to construct the foundation of the house. 

Sign an agreement 

City lawyer, Specioza Namasembe advises property owners to first sign agreements with people they want to help, to give shelter, or to allow them to occupy shell houses.

“And make sure the neighbours are informed; at least two of them, as well as the area LC. Make sure they know of the arrangement,” Namasembe says. 

Make periodic visits to the property

Whether you have put the land to use or not, Mulondo advises owners to make periodic visits. This should be done every month while interacting with and talking to neighbours.