The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has temporarily suspended the involvement of Local Council I (LC I) chairpersons in land-related transactions during the ongoing village election period, citing the need to protect the integrity of land dealings and prevent disputes.
In a public notice issued on July 16, 2026, the ministry directed all LC I chairpersons who are currently participating in election campaigns to refrain from witnessing, endorsing, recommending, or overseeing any land transactions until the electoral process is concluded.
The directive comes as the Electoral Commission prepares to conduct LC I chairperson elections on July 28, 2026, followed by LC II (Parish/Ward) chairperson elections on August 10, 2026, under its 2026 administrative units election programme released by the Electoral Commission.
The ministry said the precautionary measure is intended to minimize the risk of fraud, disputes, and other irregularities that could arise as village leaders focus on campaigning and elections.
As a result, members of the public have been advised not to rely on campaigning LC I chairpersons for services such as witnessing or endorsing land sale agreements, verifying land ownership, resolving boundary disputes, or handling any other land transaction requiring local administrative involvement.
The ministry urged individuals with urgent land matters to seek assistance from qualified legal practitioners or use other lawful channels until the elections are completed.
LC I and LC II leaders serve as the first point of authority in land transactions in Uganda. They play a critical role in verifying ownership, witnessing land sale agreements, confirming parties to transactions, resolving boundary disputes and handling other land-related matters before cases escalate to higher administrative or judicial authorities.
Land disputes remain one of Uganda’s most common sources of conflict, with LC I chairpersons often playing a key role in verifying ownership, witnessing agreements, and mediating disputes at the village level.
The ministry called on the public to remain patient during the election period, saying the temporary suspension would help safeguard the interests of all parties involved and prevent costly mistakes in land transactions.
The notice comes against the backdrop of persistent land conflicts in Uganda, where disputes over ownership, boundaries and fraudulent transactions remain among the leading causes of litigation and community conflicts. Because LC I and LC II leaders are often the first public authorities involved in documenting, verifying or witnessing land agreements, their neutrality is considered essential in preventing future disputes.
The ministry appealed to the public to exercise patience during the election period, saying the temporary measure is intended to protect the interests of all parties and ensure that land transactions conducted after the elections are free from undue influence or irregularities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
