Manifesto Week: Lands Ministry Says Bulk of Titles, Records Computerized

The State Minister for Lands, Dr Chris Baryomunsi has outlined the computerization of land related records including titles among the Ministry’s key achievements so far.

He said that all free hold and leasehold titles as well as Certificates of Customary Ownership have been computerized in order to create convenience in land administration.

Baryomunsi was Tuesday addressing the media on the progress made by government in the implementation of its manifesto, particularly the commitments made in the land sector.

The Minister further revealed the digitalizing and scanning of cadastral maps for the 13 operational Ministerial Zonal Offices is complete and survey and mapping services have been taken closer to the citizens.

These initiatives are in fulfilment of the commitment made by government in its manifesto to “create an efficient and effective land administration system”.

Baryomunsi told journalists that the Ministry has constructed several facilities across the country in a bid to take services closer to the people.

“We have constructed and renovated 13 Ministry Zonal Offices in Wakiso, Mbarara, Masaka, KCCA, Jinja, Mbale, Arua, Masindi, Mukono, Kibale, Fort Portal, Lira and Gulu. All these offices are operational,” the Minister said.

A records and archival centre has also been constructed in Entebbe which will store all the paper records after they have been digitalized. Government has also built a National Land Information Centre in Kampala that is meant to support the implementation of the Land Information System (LIS).

According to Baryomunsi, 42% of the pledges made in 2016 have so far been actualized.

“We also established a Commission of Inquiry into land matters to look into the effectiveness of land laws. Once they complete, they should be able to hand over a report that will form a Cabinet white paper,” the Minister noted.

He also revealed that financing to the Land Fund has been increased to Shs 20 billion and that land measuring to 20,850.94 hectares has been acquired by government in Kibaale, Ankole and Buganda.

But he said that problems related to unlawful evictions, delays in the acquisition of land for government projects and inadequate funding remaing a challenge.