NALI Receives long-Awaited Land Title

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Progress yesterday handed over a land title to the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.

For four decades, NALI, operating under the direct supervision of the Office of the President, functioned without a formal title for its 21 square miles of land.

During the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Kampala, Secretary of the Office of the President, Haji Yunus Kakande, expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Mrs. Dorcas W. Okalany, for her initiative and swift action in securing the land title.

“Thank you, Madam Permanent Secretary, for this title. NALI had been without it for 40 years. We attempted the process previously, but it proved difficult,” he stated.

“I was informed by Col. Okei Rukogota that you assured him during training that the land title would be processed within three weeks. I thank you immensely for this initiative.”

Haji Kakande explained that the original land area exceeded the current 21 square miles, but a lack of proper documentation allowed for encroachment and illegal claims.

“We attempted to fence the land, but the cost was prohibitive. Fifteen years ago, the Kyankwanzi District land Board began allocating portions of the land to various parties, citing their mandate,” he said.

“Now, with this permanent documentation, this strategically located government land will be protected indefinitely. Some individuals were actively seeking opportunities to seize and divide the land.”

Haji Kakande also urged the Lands Ministry to extend this effort to secure titles for other government-owned land.

“The government possesses significant land holdings in Mbarara,Masindi,and other regions that are vulnerable to illegal acquisition. Government land is often targeted becuase it lacks formal titles,” he explained.

Haji Kakande also highlighted NALI’s ancient significance in Uganda.

“It began as a colonial prison before independence. After independence, the government intended to transform it into a training school, but plans were met with resistance from those who feared forced labor under the guise of training,” he said.

“That land remained undeveloped,and when our President was fighting alongside his group…”