Tenants have been reassured by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that the government will always defend them against land grabbers.
At the opening of the Kalule Community Playground and the commissioning of the Kaguta Block at the Excel Vocational Training Center in Kalule Parish, Nyimbwa Sub County, Luwero District, on Sunday.
President Museveni clarified that even if they had a land title, he informed the people of Luwero that no one can force them from their land.
According to President Museveni, land issues are widespread as a result of people disregarding the NRM’s recommendations for renters and landlords.
He stated that the colonialists had committed a historical error by granting land to people before the area had been inhabited by its original occupants.
He went on to say that Ugandans hold the authority to select leaders who will stand up for and protect their rights.
“What is the use of the LC system if they cannot defend the interests of the people?” the President asked.
The President clarified that the land issue would be handled appropriately if the populace made use of the NRM mechanisms, such as the LC system, which the government established to safeguard citizens’ interests.
Tenants are required to pay an annual nominal ground rent to the landowner. The District Land Boards (DLBs) determine this amount, which is no longer a fixed 1,000 UGX. If DLBs fail to set the rent, the Minister responsible for Lands can establish it. In November 2011, rent for all districts in Uganda was approved by the Minister.
Nonpayment of ground rent is the sole basis for eviction.
Landlords must issue eviction notices to tenants who default for over a year, allowing them to show cause why their tenancy should not be terminated. Tenants may contest the notice in court within six months.
Courts must specify a date, no less than six months from the order, for eviction. Courts can also order expenses, damages, compensation, or other matters deemed fit.
In Uganda, the Constitution recognizes two main types of tenants: lawful occupants and bona fide occupants. These categories are essential for understanding land rights and the protections afforded to different individuals under the law.
A lawful occupant is defined as a person occupying land through: Repealed Laws, Busuulu and Envujjo Law of 1928, Toro Landlord and Tenant Law of 1937, Ankole Landlord and Tenant Law of 1937.
This includes individuals who entered the land with the registered owner’s consent, including purchasers and those who occupied land as customary tenants without their tenancy being disclosed or compensated by the registered owner at the time of acquiring a registrable interest.
For a bona fide occupant, is someone who, before the Constitution came into force, either utilized or developed land unchallenged by the registered owner or their agent for twelve years or more before the 1995 Constitution.
This requires settlement and use of the land before October 8, 1983. Other Bonifide occupants were settled on land by the Government or its agent, including local authorities.
The law explicitly protects lawful and bona fide occupants on registered land, while squatters are not afforded protection.
Categories not protected by the law include: Unlawful occupants, Illegal tenants, Trespassers, Licensees (temporarily brought by landowners),Lessees (with oral or written agreements for specific periods) and People renting agricultural land or premises
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