Uganda names new land regulatory bodies to fight fraud

_______________

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba has sworn in two new land sector regulatory bodies with a stern warning against fraudulent surveys and inflated valuations.

Four new members of the 20th Surveyors Registration Board and the inaugural Governing Council of the Institute of Certified Valuers of Uganda (ICVU) on October 02, were unveiled on October 02at the Ministry offices at Crested Towers in Kampala.

"Land remains the foundation of livelihoods, investment and development. Every title issued, every boundary opened and every valuation made affects a family, a business or a public project. That is why the professionals who survey and value land must be competent, ethical and accountable," said Nabakooba in a lecture to the team.

Stressing that the new team is answerable to the people, Nabakooba added that their role of the team is a public trust carried out under the law.

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Under Secretary and Accounting Officer Dr Emmanuel Mugunga (left) during the swearing-in ceremony held on October 2, 2026. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)

"Land fraud, inflated compensation claims and conflicts of interest have cost this country dearly. You are now among those charged with redeeming the bad name the public has on us, as a Ministry and also you as professionals.  In swearing allegiance to the Republic of Uganda, you commit to serve public interest above personal, professional or commercial interest," she added. 

The minister, who called for integrity, transparency and fairness, asked the team to treat every complainant with respect.

The four new members of the Surveyors Registration Board were appointed by Cabinet to fill vacancies created after valuation was separated from the Board. They will serve for the remaining 11 months of the 20th Board, effective September 22, 2026.

Nabakooba described the Board as the guardian of the surveying profession that registers surveyors, sets standards and disciplines those who fall short.

"Survey work is the starting point of land registration. When a survey is wrong, the error finds its way into the land register, the land title and sometimes leads to litigation," she warned.

The Minister also listed three urgent tasks for the Board as:

• Restoring integrity of survey work by acting firmly and fairly on complaints of fraudulent or negligent surveys, including boundary errors and overlapping titles that fuel land conflicts.

• To grow the profession by supporting registration of qualified young surveyors to serve systematic land registration and urban development.
• Keeping pace with technology by ensuring standards keep up with GNSS, drones and digital cadastral systems.
  
  

Appointees:

• Dr. Sophia Nagujja Mugumbu, Lecturer at Kyambogo University with over 15 years in surveying and GIS
• Daniel Okwana, Senior Surveyor 
• Anthony Mark Kyalirizo, Principal Water Officer at Ministry of Water and Environment with 25 years in mining and hydrological surveying
• Patricia Namulembwa Alowo, Registered Quantity Surveyor 
  
  

Valuation split

At the same event, the minister witnessed the swearing-in of the first Governing Council of ICVU, born out of the Valuation Act, 2026, which became operational on March 19, 2026.

For years, valuation was regulated under the Surveyors Registration Board.

"An inflated valuation drains public funds. An undervaluation denies a citizen what is lawfully theirs. Both erode public confidence and trust," Nabakooba said.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba (5th left) poses with some of the new land sector regulatory bodies. This was during the swearing-in ceremony held on October 2, 2026. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)

Calling for dedication, the minister added that, "Valuation touches everyone. It determines the compensation paid to people whose land is acquired for public roads, utility lines and other public works. It informs lending by banks, assessment of property rates and decisions by investors."

The Council:

Richard Masereje (president) is a Certified Valuer and Advocate with over 30 years' experience and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Nanziri Dianah is the Vice President on the team, which includes: Mugisha Turyahikayo Allan, Benson Asiimwe Mukirane, Dr Okumu Benon, Deputy Chief Government Valuer and Project Manager of Land Valuation Management Information System, Nyiraneza Christine, Principal TVET Officer at the Ministry of Education and Naome Kayondo, Assistant Lecturer at Makerere University.

Separation not division

Under Secretary and Accounting Officer Dr Emmanuel Mugunga explained that the four new Board members have been appointed to fill vacancies arising from the separation of valuation regulation from the Board's mandate.

He explained that for years, the Surveyors Registration Board provided the regulatory framework within which various surveying professions, including valuation surveying, were regulated.

Following the enactment of the Valuation Act, 2026, ICVU was established as a distinct institution to regulate the valuation profession and maintain professional standards.

"Their appointment will ensure continuity in the Board's work, while the inaugural Council has the important responsibility of establishing a strong foundation for effective regulation and development of the valuation profession," he said.

Mugunga said surveying and valuation are critical to Uganda's development, supporting land administration, infrastructure, housing, urban planning, compensation, property transactions and investment.

The work of surveyors and valuers can directly affect property rights, public resources and people's livelihoods.

It is therefore essential that these services are provided by qualified professionals guided by sound judgement, established standards and ethical conduct," he said.