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Network Failures, Lack of Awareness Hamper Use of Online Land Application

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During the launch, Dorcus Okalany, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, highlighted that the portal would help fight land fraud and save the public from traveling long distances for services.
14 Oct 2024 16:22
File photo; Lands Minister Sam Mayanja leaving Bukalasa Zonal Lands Officer after a visit

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The recently launched Uganda National Land Information System (UgNLIS) mobile application, aimed at easing access to land services, is facing challenges due to network issues and a lack of public awareness. On October 2, State Minister for Lands Sam Mayanja introduced the UgNLIS mobile app at the Wakiso Ministerial Zonal Office. 

The application was designed to help users conduct searches on land titles, track transactions, and submit valuations online. Mayanja emphasized that the app would provide instant access to accurate information on ownership, encumbrances, and location, reducing the need for interactions with Ministry officials who might solicit bribes.

To access the UgNLIS app, users must download it from Google Play or Apple Store, create a user account, and pay a fee of 10,000 shillings via mobile money before accessing the requested information. During the launch, Dorcus Okalany, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, highlighted that the portal would help fight land fraud and save the public from traveling long distances for services. 

Okalany stated that during a two-month pilot phase, 4,500 user accounts were created, generating 15 million shillings in revenue from land service applicants. She encouraged the public to embrace the platform, promoting it as a modern, efficient way to manage land matters.

However, feedback from several Ministry Zonal Land Offices, including Hoima, Masaka, and Luwero, suggests that network failures, lack of awareness, and incomplete information online have hampered the app's usage. Despite the app's launch, hundreds of clients still queue up at these offices to access land services.

Sam Mulwana, Chairperson of the Luwero District Land Board, shared his experience after learning about the digital platform. He downloaded the app but encountered issues on the first day. Although he managed to create an account on the second attempt and paid the 10,000-shilling fee, he did not receive any land details, even though his payment was debited to the Uganda Revenue Authority collection account.

//Cue in: “I have registered…  

Cue out:“…like other applications.”//

Luganda Byte  

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Ivan Mbogo, a resident of Kikyusa town council, urged the Ministry to address frequent network failures, which frustrate users and drive them back to in-person visits at Zonal Offices. He also noted that the app may be challenging for land buyers who are not digitally literate or do not possess a Tax Identification Number (TIN) required to make payments.

//Cue in: “Eyinza obutatuyamba…

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Sam Sserunjogi, a land broker in Wobulenzi town council, expressed concerns that the app might enable the generation of fake land reports. Unlike reports issued at zonal offices, those obtained through the app are not signed by land registrars, which he believes could be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.

“You will find that fake land dealers will be the same to use the application and manipulate the reports to grab land. The Ministry of Lands should be vigilant so that data from the application is not manipulated,” Sserunjogi warned.

In Hoima City, several residents interviewed expressed unfamiliarity with the digital platform and skepticism about its effectiveness in curbing rampant land grabbing. Joseph Kyamanywa, a resident of Buhirigi village, stated he was unaware of the app and suggested the Ministry conduct public awareness campaigns through local radio stations to educate residents on its use.

Ali Tinkamanyire, LC 3 Chairperson of Buseruka sub-county, argued that the application may not significantly benefit rural communities, where smartphone ownership is low, and internet access remains a challenge. In Masaka, landlords continue to prefer in-person services over online solutions. Luke Ssekamwa, a landowner with multiple properties in Masaka and Wakiso, mentioned that while he had downloaded the app, he still favored interactions at the zonal offices.

//Cue in: “Ka app naka downloadinze…  

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Borisson Kuteesa, Secretary at the Masaka Ministry of Lands Zonal Offices, acknowledged that the app's services had not yet been fully extended to the area. He explained that some land titles have not been uploaded onto the National Land Information System, and technical issues need to be resolved before users can fully utilize the app.

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Efforts to reach State Minister Mayanja and Ministry spokesperson Dennis Obbo were unsuccessful, as their phones were unavailable on Monday. The Ugandan government introduced the National Land Information Management System in 2013, supported by a 263.839 billion Shilling loan from the World Bank. 

The system aimed to integrate digitalized high-resolution, geometrically corrected base maps to facilitate the conversion of freehold, leasehold, and mailo land titles. The objective was to restore integrity to land registration, modernize records management, and decentralize services to make them more accessible. 

Despite this significant investment, complaints about fraud in land transactions have persisted, and some titles have yet to be uploaded to the system. The effectiveness of the newly launched mobile app in eliminating land fraud remains to be seen.

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