KAMPALA – Uganda’s Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the Valuation Bill 2024, currently under review by the Parliamentary Physical Infrastructure Committee.
Nabakooba defended the bill, stating it would professionalize the valuation industry and curb unethical practices. Delays in passing the bill have hindered key infrastructure projects, she added.
The minister emphasized that the bill would address rising litigation costs, escalating court awards, and lost government revenue due to valuation disputes.
However, Western Youth MP Edson Rugumayo expressed concerns over the ministry’s failure to prioritize amendments to outdated land laws and the Surveyors Act. These laws frustrate land transactions and must be reviewed for efficient land administration.
The Valuation Bill 2024 aims to establish a regulatory framework for valuers, protect professional valuations, and require valuation firms to acquire practicing licenses.
According to Hon. Tony Awany, Deputy chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, the bill will create a database to assess information and help the government adopt international standards.
The bill was tabled for its first reading in February 2025 and remains under discussion in the committee. MPs are expected to present their final recommendations before it is debated in Parliament.
