By Cybernewsug | News Desk
The Ministry of Lands says the revised procedures are intended to close loopholes exploited by fraudsters and protect legitimate property owners following complaints over fraudulent land claims.
KAMPALA, October 20, 2026— The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has lifted the suspension on the issuance of special certificates of title, paving the way for applications to resume under new guidelines aimed at curbing land fraud.
The suspension was imposed on August 14, 2026, following public complaints that some innocent landowners were losing their properties through fraudulent claims involving special certificates of title.
Announcing the lifting of the restriction on Tuesday, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development said the ministry had reviewed the procedures governing the issuance of the documents to address weaknesses that had exposed property owners to fraud.
The minister said all applications would be required to comply with the revised guidelines, which are intended to streamline the process and minimise loopholes that fraudulent individuals could exploit.
The move is expected to strengthen safeguards for landowners seeking replacement titles while improving the verification of claims submitted to the relevant land offices.
#Law provides for special certificates
The minister said Section 69 of the Registration of Titles Act provides for the issuance of special certificates of title but does not explicitly establish detailed procedures to address the fraudulent practices reported in the process.
The ministry subsequently reviewed the existing procedures and developed guidelines to guide land offices and proprietors seeking to replace their titles.
According to the minister, the review is intended to reduce false claims and protect the security of land ownership as provided for under Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
The suspension had been introduced after complaints that individuals were using the special certificate process to claim properties belonging to other people.
Special certificates of title are relevant to the replacement of land title documents in circumstances provided for under the law. However, inadequate verification can expose property owners to disputes and fraudulent claims.
The revised guidelines are intended to strengthen the process while allowing legitimate applications to proceed.
#Regulations to follow consultations
The minister also announced that the ministry would conduct wider consultations with relevant stakeholders following the lifting of the suspension.
The consultations are intended to inform the development of regulations to support the new guidelines and provide a stronger framework for administering applications for special certificates of title.
The ministry has not, in the remarks provided, detailed the individual requirements applicants must fulfil under the revised guidelines.
Landowners intending to replace their title documents should therefore obtain the official guidelines from the Ministry of Lands or the relevant land office before submitting applications.
The effectiveness of the revised procedures will depend on proper implementation, careful verification of ownership claims and the ability of land offices to identify suspicious applications.
The lifting of the suspension marks a shift from the temporary restriction imposed in August towards processing applications under tighter procedures.
The ministry says the overall objective is to close loopholes that facilitate fraud while protecting legitimate property rights and strengthening confidence in land administration.
The minister concluded the remarks by thanking the media and reaffirming the national motto, “For God and My Country.”
Source:
