The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) working with developing partners has issued at least 410 free Certificates of Occupancy (COOs) to residents of Gomba District.
The development partners include Deutsche Gesellschaft fu?r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German Agency for International Cooperation, and the European Union. The CCOs were issued on Block198 and 223, Plot 5 and 1 respectively.
While handing over certificates of occupancy to different beneficiaries, Minister Judith Nabakooba expressed her gratitude to the development partners and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the initiative that facilitates a harmonious relationship between squatters and their landlords.
“This is a legal document instituted in the Land Act of 1998. You are now free to use the land the way you want but ensure you engage in commercial agriculture by tapping into government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM),” she told beneficiaries during the issuance ceremony at Gomba county headquarters on March 6.
The minister underscored the importance of these certificates, arguing that they are intended to reduce land encumbrances between tenants and their landlords.
“The program is tested and it has been successful in all the six districts where it has been happening. We ask our dear donors to consider extending and expanding the program to cover all districts in the Central region with private Mailo-land,” Nabakooba said, revealing that the program is phasing out in December 2025.
The beneficiary districts include Mityana, Mubende, Gomba, and Kassanda among others where boundary opening and mapping happened before the issuance of these certificates.
For a tenant to qualify for this Certificate of Occupancy, they must be a lawful occupant with all the relevant documents and must have paid all the ground rent. The program has registered a significant achievement in unveiling absentee landlords.
Despite the successful testimonies registered, Nabakooba expressed concern over opposition politicians who choose to politicize the program by spreading false information about the project through mobilizing communities to abandon this initiative.
“Those are self-seekers who spread baseless information about the certificates you are receiving. Please disregard all the malicious information they feed you and focus on avenues that will alleviate you from poverty,” she emphasized, noting that this particular program was interrupted by politicians in Butambala.
The minister revealed that the program has been embraced elsewhere and citizens have started tasting the fruits of the NRM government.
European Union delegate Sanne Willems, who serves as the team leader of Green Transition and Private sector, noted that they have already made triumphs with this program and it is evident since its inception that land conflicts have reduced.
“It is very practical. It has an impact on agriculture since it is the backbone of Uganda, environmental sustainability, economic development, and land empowerment among others,” she said.
Having issued 69 same certificates in 2021 and witnessing more 410 is a clear testament that the need is still high.
Ms Willems noted that their reports indicate that out of the beneficiaries, at least 200 people have already acquired access to bank loans using these documents.
“We appeal to the government of Uganda to continue supporting this program through self-sponsorship but we also commit ourselves to continue providing support you may need from us.”
Mr Philippe Roussel, the Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kampala, emphasized the significance of these certificates, calling upon all landlords to cooperate during the subsequent exercises.
He noted that the program is aimed at promoting zero poverty and hunger among the local communities.
“This occupancy certificate is yet another testament to cooperation between Uganda and Germany and the EU to support people to move out of poverty, hunger, and securing ownership,” he stated.
Beneficiaries
Ms Nusurah Nakanjako, a resident of Gomba, appreciated the government and implementing partners for the opportunity and vowed to use the land productively to transform their living standards.
Ms Annet Nakyanzi thanked President Museveni for choosing the minister of lands wisely who works tirelessly to tap into different opportunities and extend them to the ordinary people.
“The process is costly because it needs to first conduct boundary opening on your plot but all this was offered for free,” she lauded the NRM government.
Samuel Mwanje, a resident of Maanyi Sub County in Mityana District, said they got relief from the stress of landlords since they can now live freely on their bibanja without any fear of eviction.
Gomba District chairperson Godfrey Kiviiri asked members of parliament to table a motion on the floor of parliament supporting the issuance of COOs to all tenants to reduce land conflicts.
Other dignitaries including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Gomba, Mr Ronald Katende named a number of achievements attained through the introduction of certificates of occupancy.
He noted that in this particular constituency of Gomba East, land conflicts have immensely reduced.
Hon Robinah Rwakojo, Gomba East MP, asked the beneficiaries to utilize these certificates well to better their lives through agriculture. She noted that if they are used well, children will be educated and households will get enough food.
