Alebtong, Uganda | A total of 518 families in Alebtong District are set to receive free customary land titles under a government-supported programme aimed at strengthening land ownership rights, reducing disputes and accelerating socio-economic transformation.
The exercise, which has been ongoing for the last three months, has seen district leaders and development partners traverse communities sensitising residents on the benefits of securing legal ownership of their land.
Leading the campaign is Alebtong Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mathias Lutwama, working alongside district land officials and representatives from Cordaid and ZOA.
Lutwama said the initiative is in line with the government’s agenda of transforming communities from subsistence livelihoods to a modern and prosperous society through secure land tenure.
He noted that land-related conflicts have for years remained a major challenge in many parts of the district, often leading to prolonged disputes, destruction of property, and, in some cases, loss of lives.
According to Lutwama, the issuance of customary land certificates is expected to significantly reduce clan-based land wrangles by providing legally recognised proof of ownership.
The programme is also intended to curb land grabbing, a practice that has left many vulnerable families at risk of losing their ancestral land due to lack of documentation.
Officials further believe that secure land ownership will encourage farmers to invest more confidently in commercial agriculture and other income-generating ventures, thereby improving productivity and household incomes.
The sensitisation campaign has so far covered Angetta, Adwir, Apala, and Aloi sub-counties, where residents have been guided through the registration process.
Under the programme, interested families first express interest by obtaining and filling application forms from their respective sub-counties. The applications are then subjected to verification by Area Land Committees, which inspect the land and prepare reports in the presence of community members and neighbouring landowners.
The process is followed by inspections and surveys conducted by the Physical Planning Committee before the files are forwarded to the District Land Board for scrutiny and approval.
Approved applications are subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Lands’ Lango Zonal Office for processing and issuance of customary land certificates.
District authorities have announced that the successful applicants will begin receiving their certificates on July 4, 2026, during a public ceremony in Alebtong District.
The entire registration and certification process is being funded by the Government of Uganda in partnership with Cordaid and ZOA, meaning beneficiaries will not pay any fees.
Leaders have urged residents who have not yet registered to embrace the programme, describing land ownership documentation as a critical step towards safeguarding family property and promoting sustainable development.