Draft land eviction guidelines ready

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has finalised draft guidelines on land evictions, to pave way for orderly and fair claims.

The guidelines highlight the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants with regard to evictions of lawful and bonafide occupants.

The state minister for housing, Dr Chris Baryomunsi on Friday said consultations with key stakeholders on the eviction guidelines were underway.

Under the proposed guidelines, no land eviction will be carried out before giving a six-month notice to the affected persons, draft government lawful eviction guidelines indicate. 

The person or institution proposing eviction will be required to copy the eviction notice to the area land committee, land tribunal, Police and if deemed necessary to utility companies.

The notice shall be in writing or through public barazas and broadcast media written in the national, local language or the language spoken by the majority of people in the affected locality.

Eviction refers to permanent or temporary removal of individuals, families or communities from the homes or land which they occupy.

Eviction deprives people of their fundamental rights to land and housing if they are not given access to appropriate form of legal or other protection.

Bonafide land tenants or Bibanja holders are accorded legal protection from eviction under existing land laws.

The lands ministry is also carrying out systematic demarcation in Kayunga district for issuance of land titles to lawful and bonafide occupants.