The Government of Uganda has initiated a deliberate move to address the escalating encroachment on public spaces in Soroti City as part of a broader plan to develop a comprehensive national land inventory. This effort aims to streamline land management, protect government property, and ensure proper utilization of public resources.
This development was revealed during an engagement meeting held with Soroti City stakeholders at the City Council offices earlier today. The meeting was spearheaded by Christin Aporu Amongin, a member of the Uganda Land Commission, who emphasized the urgent need to close existing gaps in public land records to safeguard government assets for future reference.
Amongin noted that the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) is currently undertaking a first-phase pre-visit to all 16 cities across the country, with the objective of identifying and confirming pieces of land under government ownership. She explained that this early assessment will pave the way for a second team to conduct a deeper, more comprehensive study that will lead to official land surveys and updated documentation.
Key Land Concerns Raised
During the engagement, several notable issues were highlighted regarding public land in Soroti City. Ronnie Bahungule, the Senior Land Officer at the Uganda Land Commission, pointed out that they had already identified critical concerns related to open spaces. Among these is the Soroti Golf Course land lease, which is set to expire in February next year, raising questions about its future management and potential reallocation.
Bahungule also mentioned other contested areas, including the Etem Block, which is reportedly facing cases of encroachment, as well as land belonging to Soroti Ginnery. He assured stakeholders that the Commission will carefully review these matters to determine the best way to harmonize the situation while protecting public interest.
In addition, he revealed insights into land-related revenue, particularly from ground rent. Records show that Soroti City Council collects over UGX 1 billion, while the Uganda Land Commission collects approximately UGX 7 billion monthly countrywide. This revenue, he stressed, underscores the importance of safeguarding land resources and improving the accuracy of land records.
City Leadership Welcomes Government Intervention
Joshua Edogu, the Mayor of Soroti City, expressed relief and optimism following the Commission’s visit. He noted that their presence comes at a crucial time when the city has been grappling with challenges concerning the exercise of authority by the Soroti Land Board, especially in matters relating to public land encroachment.
Edogu described the Commission’s involvement as a step toward restoring order, strengthening land governance, and reducing conflicts arising from mismanagement or misinformation about public property.
He also addressed rumors alleging that the city leadership was seeking alternative land to house the National Forest Authority (NFA) due to reports linking the authority to several land blocks—such as Etem, Majengo, and Madera. Edogu clarified that such allegations are unfounded.
He emphasized that degazetting any land requires formal tabling before the Cabinet, followed by a clear decision and documentation. “As far as the city records show, there is no Cabinet resolution supporting the degazetting of any of these blocks,” Edogu affirmed, urging the public to disregard misinformation.
A Step Toward Order and Proper Land Administration
The Government’s move to update its land inventory and investigate issues in Soroti City is widely viewed as a significant step toward enhancing transparency and accountability in land administration. Stakeholders hope that the ongoing exercise will not only resolve existing disputes but also prevent future encroachment, strengthen urban planning, and ensure that public spaces are preserved for community use.
As the Commission continues its nationwide assessments, the people of Soroti City are optimistic that longstanding land challenges may finally receive long-awaited clarity and resolution.
