Uganda's MPs urge full rollout of National Land Information System to stop double titles

Uganda's Parliamentary Committee on Lands has recommended that the National Land Information System (NLIS) be fully operationalised and that supervision of land offices be tightened, to curb double, multiple and overlapping land titles. The proposal follows an oversight visit to six Ministry of Lands zonal offices in Mukono, Wakiso, Masaka, Jinja, Mbale and Soroti.

Committee chairperson Edson Rugumayo tabled the report on 11 November 2026. It found that land officers' failure to carry out due diligence leads to erroneous titles. It cited the Henley Property Developers case, in which a mailo title issued in error was later cancelled by the registrar. The courts awarded the developer Shs50 billion in compensation, upheld by the Supreme Court, which faulted the registry for double registration. The committee also called for a clean-up of land records, prosecution of those involved in fraud, and better staffing and infrastructure at zonal offices.

A second report found the ministry had not justified its nationwide suspension of Special Certificates of Title, which affected genuine applicants. In debate, MPs backed boundary opening by registrars, surveyors and land officers, and proposed involving local council leaders and neighbours in verification. One MP proposed amending Section 159 of the Registration of Titles Act so culpable officers bear liability, and another noted some land offices still work manually. The Speaker directed the ministry to give contract land officers permanent posts.

Why it matters: Pressure to finish NLIS and verify boundaries on the ground points to more demand for cadastral surveys, digitised registry records and survey-based checks in Uganda. Surveyors and GIS teams working on land records may see clean-up and verification work follow.

Sources: Pan African Visions (Parliament of Uganda release distributed by APO Group)