Land deals: Nabakooba wants LCs' powers regulated

Lands minister Judith Nabakooba is pushing for an amendment to existing Local Governments Act to regulate the powers of Local Council (LC) chiefs over land deals.

“In the amendments we are proposing, we are trying to see how to put LCs in their correct position because at times some of them assume a lot of powers when it comes to land,” she told journalists in Kiboga district on January 10, 2025.

The minister noted that the existing law is unclear on the roles of LC chairpersons concerning land sales.

“We want to see what their roles should be because right now, there is no clear law on their duties or responsibilities when it comes to handling land sales. We have seen LCs selling land which does not belong to them or selling the same piece of land to more than three parties and yet they are not the actual land owners,” she said.

She said her ministry would sit and see whether to develop regulations or have a strong law to guide the operations of LCs.

According to Article 50 of the Local Governments Act 1997 (amended in 2015), the village committee, which is headed by the village (LC1) chairperson, shall oversee implementation of policies and decisions made by its council.

The Act also provides that the village executive committees headed by the chairperson are expected to assist in the maintenance of law, order and security, as well as initiate, encourage, support and participate in self-help projects and mobilise people, material and technical assistance in relation to self-help projects.

The Executive is also expected to vet and recommend persons in the area who should be recruited into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Prisons Service.

It is further expected to serve as the communication channel between the Government, the district or higher local council and the people in the area.

Among other functions, the Executive, according to the Act, is expected to monitor projects and other activities undertaken by the Government, local governments and non-governmental organisations in their area.