LAW SOCIETY ASKS PARLIAMENT TO OVERTURN MINISTER’S BAN ON SPECIAL LAND TITLES

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The Law Society told the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Housing that the blanket suspension is disrupting land transactions, affecting economic activity and could trigger litigation against the Minister.

The Uganda Law Society has asked Parliament to compel the Minister for Lands to withdraw a three-month suspension on the issuance of special certificates of title, describing the directive as illegal and irregular.

The Law Society told the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Housing that the blanket suspension is disrupting land transactions, affecting economic activity and could trigger litigation against the Minister.

The committee, chaired by Ntoroko County MP Edson Rugumayo, on Monday began investigating the directive issued by the Minister for Lands to halt the issuance of special certificates of title for three months.

The Minister said the suspension was intended to curb alleged fraud in land transactions.

Legislators under the Uganda Parliamentarians Land Management Forum, led by their chairperson Patrick Bingi, were the first to appear before the committee to present their views on the directive.

The forum opposed the suspension, arguing that it was issued without parliamentary approval.

“The suspension of special titles was done without approval of Parliament. We advise the Minister to use an approach of enhanced verification guidelines instead of a blanket ban,” Bingi told the committee.

The forum said it supports efforts to combat fraud in land transactions but proposed an audit of special certificates issued in recent years, followed by action against ministry officials and applicants found to have participated in fraudulent transactions.

“We are not against fighting fraud, but let the Ministry audit the special certificates issued in recent years and hold officers and applicants involved in fraud to account, including prosecution for false statutory declarations,” Bingi said.

The Uganda Law Society also appeared before the committee and asked the Minister to withdraw the directive, warning that it could lead to a wave of litigation.

“We ask the Minister to urgently withdraw her directive. It is likely to trigger a wave of litigation against her,” the Law Society submitted.

The lawyers argued that the blanket suspension was unlawful and that the Minister lacked the authority to halt the issuance of titles in such a manner.

“The blanket halting of this process is illegal and irregular. The Minister does not have such powers. It does not only affect the economy but also hinders the execution of court orders on issues related to land,” the Law Society argued.

The Law Society instead urged the Ministry to introduce practical verification guidelines and restrict the suspension to transactions where there are specific concerns, rather than stopping the process altogether.

“Instead of suspending all issuance of special titles, the Ministry should adopt practical guidance and restrict issuance only where necessary,” the society said.

Rugumayo said the committee would hear from several stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Lands, before preparing a report and recommendations for Parliament.

“In this investigation, we intend to meet a number of stakeholders including the Ministry of Lands itself before we present to Parliament a detailed report with recommendations,” Rugumayo said.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis