Summary:
During a Public Engagement (Baraza) for landowners from the Kigezi Sub-region at the Ministry of Lands Zonal Office in Kabale District on Monday, authorities shed light on the deceptive tactics of these agents, who often exploit unsuspecting applicants.
KABALE: The Ministry of Lands has pointed fingers at fraudulent middlemen, known as land blockers, for causing unnecessary delays in land registration processes.
During a Public Engagement (Baraza) for landowners from the Kigezi Sub-region at the Ministry of Lands Zonal Office in Kabale District on Monday, authorities shed light on the deceptive tactics of these agents, who often exploit unsuspecting applicants.
The Registrar of Titles, Ms. Mercy Racheal Nuwagaba, defended her office against accusations of sluggish service delivery, emphasizing that land blockers are the real culprits behind registration setbacks.
“Many applicants believe the delays happen in our office, yet, in reality, some agents don’t even submit applications. They keep misleading clients, pretending the process is slow on our end,” she explained.
To counteract this problem, Ms. Nuwagaba urged landowners to engage directly with ministry officials to ensure a transparent and efficient registration process.
Adding his voice to the issue, Kabale District Physical Planner, Mr. Emmanuel Turyagyenda, warned applicants against listing land blockers’ contacts on official forms.
“If you use their numbers, we will reach out to them instead of you. However, since they don’t prioritize your case, they may withhold crucial updates, leading to unnecessary delays,” he cautioned.
Beyond the issue of middlemen, the event highlighted additional obstacles slowing down the land registration process. These include disputes over land ownership, environmental concerns, and inadequate road access.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Obo Dennis, explained that the engagement aimed to educate the public on how to access the Land Information System via the Online Public Land Portal and to inform them about the various services available at the Kabale Ministry Zonal Office.
To enhance service delivery, Ms. Sarah Namudu, Communication Officer at the National Land Information Center, conducted a session on using the Public Land Portal. She highlighted that applicants can access the system online via computers and smartphones.
For further assistance, she provided customer service contacts: 0800100004 (Monday to Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM) and 0767554235 (WhatsApp support).
“If you face any land-related issues, don’t hesitate to reach out through these channels,” she assured attendees.
The event drew a significant audience, including Resident District Commissioners from Kabale, Rubanda, and Kisoro Districts, who echoed the call for vigilance and direct engagement with official land registration channels.
