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The Uganda National Land Policy (NLP) Implementation Action Plan is a deliberate resolution by the Government of Uganda to address major challenges that have hindered the implementation of land reforms, thereby impeding the optimal utilisation of land for socio-economic development and transformation. Although successive post-independence governments have made numerous efforts to streamline land governance and reconfigure the role of land in national development, the majority of these efforts have failed to address underlying issues and have thus remained unimplemented to date. The Land Reform Decree of 1975 provides an example of one such failed effort that was a missed opportunity for Uganda. In order to circumvent known implementation challenges, Chapter 7 of the NLP provides for a phased approach to implementing reforms that will revitalise the land sector and bring about immeasurable economic and social benefits. NLP implementation involves the conversion of policy principles, statements, and strategies into a comprehensive program of land reform. This phased approach was deemed necessary as the cost of inaction or delay in action is high both in socio-economic and political terms. Therefore, this Implementation Action Plan for Phase One draws out Priority Areas of engagement based on an assessment of the legislative, financial, institutional, personnel, and infrastructure requirements over the first three years. The Action Plan also presents a programme of activities based on the strategies outlined in the policy; these activities are sequenced and prioritised into Programme Areas. Developing and sustaining sufficient institutional capacity and coordination to ensure cohesive and efficient implementation of the reforms and supporting activities is a priority consideration guiding NLP implementation. For this reason, the establishment and capacity development of an institutional unit within the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (MLHUD) to oversee and coordinate NLP implementation is the foundational aim of the initial implementation efforts.
