By Spy Uganda
Kampala—In a landmark move to protect bibanja holders from eviction and exploitation, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has created a dedicated government bank account where tenants can legally deposit their annual ground rent (Busuulu), especially in cases where landlords are absent or deliberately refuse to accept payment.
Speaking at a press briefing this morning, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, the Lands Minister, said the move is part of reforms stemming from public outcry during President Museveni’s recent PDM tours across the country.
“The concerns raised included: refusal of Busuulu by Landlords and absentee Landlords,” she said.
“I have come to inform the nation about the initiatives the Ministry has implemented regarding these issues.”
Key Highlights from the Minister’s Statement:
Legal Protection for Tenants
- The Land Act and Article 237 (8) and (9) of the Constitution protect lawful and bona fide occupants, provided they pay the government-set annual Busuulu.
- Tenants who pay Busuulu cannot legally be evicted unless a court order has been extracted, which also gives at least six months notice by law.
Busuulu Rates Remain the Same
“No District Local Government responded to our request to revise Busuulu rates,” said Nabakooba. As a result, the official rates remain:
- UGX 50,000 in cities
- UGX 40,000 in municipalities
- UGX 30,000 in town councils
- UGX 20,000 in town boards
- UGX 5,000 in rural areas
New Government Busuulu Account
Tenants facing refusal or inability to trace their landlords can now pay into a newly created account:
- Account Name: Ministry of Lands – Ground Rent (Busuulu)
- Account Number: 00120088000068
- Currency: UGX
- Payment channels: Any bank or mobile money
“A step-by-step guideline on the procedure to deposit Busuulu has been developed,” the Minister said.
Requirements Before Deposit Approval
To pay through the government account, tenants must:
- Be a lawful or bona fide occupant
- Obtain a recommendation letter from local leaders
- Provide land documentation
- Present an Area Land Committee inspection report
Landlord Can Claim Funds
If a landlord reappears and seeks the money deposited on their behalf:
“An application will be made to the Permanent Secretary to access and receive the funds,” Nabakooba explained.
Push for Certificates of Occupancy
The Minister encouraged bibanja holders to acquire Certificates of Occupancy:
“It’s formal documentation of user rights for tenants on registered land,” she stated.
“It also helps stop evictions, especially by new landlords who call sitting tenants ‘trespassers.’”
So far, over 96,000 bibanja have been mapped, and 500+ certificates issued in districts such as Mityana, Mubende, Kassanda, Kiboga, and Gomba.
New App to Track Tenancy Status
The Ministry launched a smartphone app to monitor land status:
“With this app, tenants can view their occupancy status and the Landlord’s title details,” Nabakooba said.
“This will prevent illegal evictions and destruction of PDM investments.”
Final Appeal
“Do not be misled by political actors trying to derail this process,” she warned.
“By registering your Kibanja, you move from a subsistence economy to a market economy.”
The Minister concluded by crediting President Museveni’s leadership in resolving the Mailo land crisis, urging tenants to support NRM so the government can “complete the agenda of securing bibanja.”
