Nabakooba urges lawmakers to boost land fund budget

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, has urged lawmakers to increase the land fund budget to enable her ministry to purchase more land for squatters.

Nabakooba made the plea during a meeting with district leaders in Mubende, where she discussed the challenges faced by squatters and the need for more funding to address the issue.

“We should be realistic, I would want all of us to acquire full ownership of the land, but funds are not enough,” Nabakooba said. “I urge you, honorable members of parliament, to advocate for an increase in the land fund budget.”

Hope Grania Nakazibwe, the Mubende District Woman Legislator, pledged to take the minister’s plea to parliament. “We shall take the matter to parliament to see that her budget is increased,” Nakazibwe said.

William Museveni Ndori, the Buwekula South MP, also supported the minister’s plea, saying that sufficient funds would solve most of the challenges related to land matters in Mubende.

The minister’s plea comes amid concerns over the high number of squatters in the country. Many Ugandans are struggling to access land, and the lack of funding has hindered the government’s efforts to address the issue.

Nabakooba also used the opportunity to warn Lands Ministry staff against engaging in corrupt practices, including soliciting money from the public for services that are supposed to be free.

Musa Kamya Busuulwa, the Bugonzi Parish chairperson, alleged that a staff member at the Mityana lands zonal office demanded Shs100,000 to assist him with land search services. “I had already paid Shs12,500 in the bank for the services, but the staff member still demanded more money,” Busuulwa said.

Nabakooba emphasized that soliciting money from the public is not part of the staff’s mandate. “Serve the people because that is your mandate. Soliciting for money is not part of the bargain because if you are caught, I will forward your cases to police, not even to the permanent secretary because it is criminal,” Nabakooba said.