Uganda: Demystifying Uganda's National Land Information System

30 October 2024
The Observer (Kampala)
opinion By Deo Kalikumutima

The ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) has launched the Uganda National Land Information System (UgNLIS), a digital platform aimed at modernizing Uganda's land management.

This initiative addresses inefficiencies by digitizing records, enhancing transparency and accessibility. The system is a significant step toward transforming land services and boosting public trust. UgNLIS manages spatially-referenced data for land registration, valuation, planning, and administration across Uganda.

It adheres to legislative standards for collecting, updating, processing and distributing land information. The system's features are structured to improve transaction management and record-keeping significantly. A key function of UgNLIS is Digital Records Management, which digitizes and securely stores land records.

This reduces risks such as document loss, tampering, or fraud, issues that plagued the paper-based system. Digitizing records enhances security and accuracy, ensuring more reliable land administration. The platform also simplifies transactions with an online interface for services such as land title registration, ownership transfers, valuation, title issuance and mortgages.

This digitization reduces transaction times from weeks or months to just hours or days. The streamlined system not only speeds up services but also enhances efficiency and reliability. UgNLIS offers accessible land information via an online portal, allowing users to access data remotely, saving time and eliminating the need for physical office visits.

Digital accessibility promotes convenience and provides stakeholders with reliable information quickly. Additionally, UgNLIS integrates with other platforms such as the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-Uganda), the National Building Review Board (NBRB), and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

This interconnected approach ensures efficient land administration across multiple government entities, enhancing service delivery. The system features a user-friendly interface where clients can access services such as land searches, registration, transfers, and valuation.

Payments, like the Shs 10,000 fee for various services, are made online, with real-time processing ensuring efficiency and transparency. Clients can track application progress, verify title authenticity, and check encumbrances. These digital capabilities offer a convenient and reliable solution for managing land matters.

For businesses and individuals in real estate, construction, and land management, UgNLIS provides significant advantages. The system accelerates transaction processing, boosting productivity and economic activity while reducing delays. The availability of verified and updated records also allows businesses to conduct due diligence, minimizing risks like ownership disputes and fraud, ensuring secure transactions.

The platform also cuts operational costs. By digitizing services, businesses and individuals save time and money, reducing paperwork and minimizing physical visits. This shift promotes environmental sustainability by lowering paper use and emissions associated with travel. As Uganda rolls out UgNLIS, businesses must align their operations with its digital standards.

Organizations should review procedures to ensure they meet UgNLIS requirements. However, it remains crucial to perform physical inspections and due diligence to verify digital records against real-world conditions. Any discrepancies identified during physical checks should be investigated thoroughly to avoid legal and financial issues.

Despite its benefits, UgNLIS faces challenges. Errors in data entry or manipulation of digital records can occur, leading to ownership disputes or conflicts. Relying solely on the digital platform without independent verification could expose businesses to risks. Over-reliance on the system, without physical inspections, may overlook issues such as encroachments or undisclosed easements, leading to disputes.

Kalikumutima & Co. Advocates offers comprehensive legal support for navigating UgNLIS.

The firm combines digital checks with traditional methods, such as physical inspections, ensuring clients' transactions are secure. This dual approach provides thorough risk management and accuracy. The firm offers services such as risk mitigation, dispute resolution and compliance advisory, ensuring clients maximize UgNLIS benefits while minimizing risks.

Ultimately, UgNLIS is a transformative shift in Uganda's land administration, offering efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. However, balancing digital convenience with traditional due diligence remains crucial.

The writer is the chief executive partner at Kalikumutima & Co. Advocates

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