Clare N
More than 2,000 farmers in Kabarole District are set to benefit from free registration of customary land ownership certificates under a project implemented by Cordaid Organisation.
The Customary Ownership Certificates are intended to provide farmers with legal evidence of land ownership, in accordance with the 1995 Constitution of Uganda and the Land Act, Cap 227.
Speaking during the handover exercise at Busoro Town Council headquarters, where 138 certificates were issued to farmers , Lands Officer Kabarole, Peter Alinda commended Cordaid for following the rightful legal procedures in securing customary land rights. He explained that the certificates provide security of tenure, can help farmers access loans and ease land administration, adding that they do not expire as long as the prevailing land laws remain in force.
One of the beneficiaries, David Bright from Mugusu A, commended Cordaid and local government leaders for extending land ownership security to ordinary citizens. He revealed that the certificate has given him confidence to invest in his land through piggery farming and expanding on his already existing coffee plantation.
The Busoro Town Council Mayor, John Mugisa a.k.a Owolusaniya, revealed that 138 certificates had been delivered in the first batch, urging beneficiaries to safeguard the documents and make productive use of their land.
Project comes to an end
Martin Ojara, the A-GRIP Regional Lead Verifier for the Rwenzori Region, said the Agriculture Governance Results Improvement Project seeks to strengthen food security by improving land tenure security. He explained that Kabarole was selected because about 65 % of land in the district is under customary ownership, leaving many farmers hesitant to make long-term investments due to uncertainties surrounding land security.
The project is targeting more than 2,000 customary landowners across Busoro, Kicwamba, Ruteete and Hakibaale. Ojara commended district leaders, and the donor for their cooperation in ensuring farmers secure their land rights and confidently invest in agriculture.