Lands Ministry develops a website that allows citizens to access information

On Tuesday at the Media center in Kampala, the Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development Hon. Judith Nabakooba launched the Ministry's Public Portal as part of the Government's initiative to implement Article 41 of the constitution that provides for access to information to all citizens.

Earlier this year, Nabakooba pledged to launch the Land's public portal a new innovation aimed at enhancing service delivery to Ugandans who want to access land information in an instant way using information technology.

According to Nabakooba, this digital public portal launched will further ease the business sector  by taking land services closer to the land owners hence transforming the Land sector of Uganda.

"Upon payment of Ugs 10,000, per search, this portal will provide instant  results on land titles plus the status of Land verification and transaction" the Minister added.

According to the Minister, these land portals for starters shall begin with  Mailo land, Freehold and Lease land titles in Kibuga and part of Kyadondo that are covered by KCCA and MZO.

"I believe that the commissioning of portal will achieve transparency and good land governance" the Minister added emphasizing that by the end of June this year the other 22 MZOs shall be added in a phased manner hence responding to citizens information requests instantly.

This portal that can be accessed by www.ugnlis.mlhud.go.ug will be accessed by citizens both in the country and the Diaspora and after accessing, users shall be required to register in an automated way that shall allow registered users to quickly access accurate information on the ownership, encumbrances and location of Land.

In this digital era, this portal is looked at as a platform that will reduce on interfacing with some Ministry staff that have been purportedly accused of corrupt tendencies and delays in providing land related information for discussion making.

The Ministry also put in place a toll-free number 0800100004 that will respond to anyone that might face any challenges that may require further support or clarification.

This public portal that requires a reference number to access it will also allow the user to view blocks and an Ariel view of what's on the land.

The Land question has been an outstanding debate in most parts of this country that has  lead to death and property loss to several Ugandans.