Government Targets Forest Reserve Titles In Public Land Audit

Kampala, August 20, 2026 - Uganda moved to cancel land titles issued inside forest reserves as the government begins building a national inventory of public land, a step aimed at tightening control over state assets and curbing encroachment.

Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba said the exercise is intended to secure government land across the country. She warned land officers against issuing freehold titles over public land, saying such transactions create serious administrative and legal obstacles for the state.

The push comes as the Uganda Wildlife Authority awaits the formal handover of Bugoma Forest despite a presidential directive, while the National Forestry Authority faces resistance from encroachers as it works to restore and protect forest cover in Amuru District.

For investors, the policy signals a sharper government focus on land governance and environmental enforcement. It may improve certainty around public assets over time, but could also expose projects located on disputed or environmentally sensitive land to tighter scrutiny.