Evolution of the Land Law on Land Registration and Land Rights in Uganda

This paper reviews the evolution of Land Law on Land Registration and Land Rights in Uganda. The purpose of this article is to examine the evolution of the law on land registration and land rights in Uganda, from the pre-colonial period to today. It looks at the role played by historical, political, and legal developments in shaping land ownership and management in Uganda. The methodology that was followed in this article is doctrinal legal research, using laws, Court Judgements, government policies, and academic writings to understand Uganda's land registration system and rights. It reviews important legal documents such as the 1900 Buganda Agreement, the Registration of Titles Act Cap 240, the Land Act Cap 236, the Land Acquisition Act Cap 235, and the Uganda National Land Policy (2013). The study also used document analysis and archival research to track changes in land registration over time. Findings show that according to reviewed articles and literature, Uganda's land registration laws have gone through many changes, from informal customary ownership in the pre-colonial period to formal land titles introduced during colonial rule and further reforms after independence. While these laws aimed to improve land security, challenges remain, including conflicts between customary and formal land ownership, corruption in land transactions, and difficulties in accessing land titles. Even with efforts to modernize land registration through digital systems, weaknesses in governance and enforcement continue to cause problems. Originality/value: This study gives a detailed review of the evolution of Uganda's laws on land registration and land rights over time. It also explains how different laws on land registration have affected land ownership and management. Through the examination of past and current land laws on registration, the study helps to understand what has worked well and what still needs to be improved in Uganda's land registration laws.