Government Seeks Shs8 tn for Land Acquisition Under NDP IV

What the report says

Uganda’s government is moving toward a new national policy aimed at reducing delays in public infrastructure projects caused by land pricing disputes and compensation disagreements, according to Nile Post. The Draft National Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy 2026 is in its final stages before being sent to Cabinet, and is intended to create a more consistent framework for acquiring land, compensating owners and resettling affected communities.

The proposal was discussed at a stakeholders’ validation workshop at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where Henry Harrison Irumba of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development said the current system is outdated and fragmented, with the main Land Acquisition Act dating to 1965. He said the reform would go beyond cash compensation by adding stronger rules on resettlement, livelihood restoration, consultation and protection for vulnerable groups, including women and other family members affected by land deals.

Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba said government needs about Shs8 trillion for land acquisition under the Fourth National Development Plan. She said rising land prices and compensation disputes are major barriers, and that government reviews suggest nearly 90% of public projects face delays linked to land acquisition issues. She also raised the idea of a betterment levy for property owners whose land values rise because of nearby public investment.

Nile Post also reported that the World Bank welcomed the draft as an important step toward a more predictable system. The broader context is Uganda’s push to speed up major infrastructure delivery while balancing development goals with land rights and community protection.