Apac, Uganda — In a decisive move to enhance transparency and protect beneficiaries from fraud, the Apac District Chairperson, Hon. Ambrose Agech, has convened a high-level meeting with Senior Assistant Secretaries, Community Development Officers, and LC III Chairpersons from Apoi, Ibuje, Chegere Sub-Counties, and Ibuje Town Council to harmonize payment processes under the CEDP-AF RAPPA project.
The project facilitates the issuance of Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) land titles to beneficiaries across the district.
Following extensive deliberations, the meeting resolved that all payments for land certificates will be centralized at the district headquarters. A dedicated team of three officers from the Natural Resources and Finance Departments has been appointed to manage the process and generate the mandatory Payment Registration Number (PRN) for each transaction.
Hon. Agech issued a stern warning to LC III Chairpersons and technical officers, urging them to sensitize beneficiaries that no cash payments should be made to individuals under any circumstances.
All beneficiaries are now required to physically report to the district headquarters and pay the official fee of UGX 65,000 through the approved government payment system before receiving their land certificates.
"The resolution aims to promote transparency, accountability, and safeguard beneficiaries from fraud during the implementation of the project," Hon.Agech stated
Apac District is among 16 districts nationwide benefiting from the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP-AF), funded by the International Development Agency.
The project includes Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC), which involves demarcation and registration of individual lands in rural and peri-urban areas, including issuance of titles.
The Rapid Physical Planning Appraisal (RAPPA) approach precedes SLAAC, providing a framework to guide land use development and demarcation of land rights while promoting sustainable urban development.
The decision comes amid heightened concerns over land fraud in the region. Apac has experienced numerous land-related conflicts and fraudulent land transactions in recent years.
Local leaders have welcomed the centralization move, describing it as a timely intervention that complements ongoing government and civil society efforts to stabilize land governance in the region.
The Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU) recently reopened its regional office in Apac District to tackle the surge in land conflicts across the Lango subregion.
The resolution aligns with broader government efforts to combat land fraud and prevent the issuance of duplicate land titles.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has introduced enhanced security features for land titles, including serial numbers, national identification details, transfer information, and a security alert system.
Beneficiaries are advised to strictly follow the new payment protocol and report any attempts by individuals to solicit cash payments for land certificates.
The centralized payment system is expected to eliminate avenues for fraud and ensure that all beneficiaries receive their land titles through a transparent and accountable process.
