Uganda Moves Forward on National Land Policy Reform

The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and support from Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa through SLGA programme, convened a national workshop in Kampala to advance the review and validation of the 2025 Draft National Land Policy and its implementation strategy. The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, NELGA, civil society organizations, development partners, and donors, and was graced by the Honorable Minister.

Held from 10–12 December 2025, the engagement provided a platform for shaping Uganda’s land governance priorities in a rapidly evolving socio-economic and environmental context. Discussions focused on strengthening land tenure security, land use and management, land administration, and land markets, with a strong emphasis on enhancing transparency and accountability.

Participants highlighted challenges, including gaps across statutory and customary tenure systems, gender inequalities, and limited access to land for youth, pastoralists, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups. The workshop also underscored pressures on land resulting from agriculture, mining, urbanization, environmental conservation, refugee settlement, and climate change, calling for policy responses that are inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking.

The policy review process continues to benefit from technical inputs and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Contributions from NELGA played an important role in anchoring discussions in evidence and regional experience.