The Ministry of Lands in Uganda has rejected claims that land grabbing and forced evictions are increasing, especially in the Buganda region.
A recent report by Witness Radio (an NGO that monitors, maps, documents, investigates and publishes latest land eviction cases in Uganda) highlighted a significant rise in land evictions, stating that more than 360,000 people were displaced between January and June 2024.
 According to Witness Radio’s investigation, an alarming 2,160 people are evicted daily, and about 723 hectares of land are taken each day.
However, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, argues that the report from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is misleading. She suggests that these NGOs are seeking funding from European countries and asks Witness Radio to verify their findings.
“The organizations that create alarming reports are not being honest. They should clearly show where their numbers come from and specify the areas they are discussing,” said Nabakooba.
Min. Nabakooba acknowledges that while there may be threats of evictions, the situation is not as serious as reported. She added that NGOs do not have the resources to cover all areas of Uganda.
The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Lands is actively helping people with land issues, stating that land evictions and grabbing have decreased. She also mentioned that some individuals are exaggerating the situation, while many Ugandans recognize the government’s increased efforts to address land issues.
Recent government data indicates a decline in formal land disputes over the past year, with a 15% reduction in reported cases compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the Ministry’s recent initiative, which involves a land registration campaign, has reportedly secured land titles for over 100,000 families, reducing their vulnerability to illegal evictions.
Despite these efforts, NGOs continue to express concerns about undocumented cases and the impact of informal power dynamics on vulnerable communities.
