By The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has officially launched a centralized system for the collection of nominal ground rent, locally known as Busuulu, aimed at supporting tenants occupying land owned by absentee or uncooperative landlords.
Latest
Museveni Meets German Ambassador as PLU Members March to Embassy
Eron Kiiza Petitions Court to Release Passport for Urgent Medical Travel
Young Man Electrocuted While Carrying Tent for ID Registration Exercise
Bishop Bifaaki Vows to Unseat Nsegumire After Picking NUP Forms
NUP Records Massive Turnout Despite Security Raid
Uganda, Maldives Pledge Closer Ties as Envoy Presents Credentials
UNEB Sets June 15 Deadline for 2025 Candidate Registration
K9 Dog Leads Police to Murder Suspects in Ntungamo Killing
Museveni Warns Voters Against Accepting ‘Stolen Gifts’ from Politicians
Speed Limit Rules Trigger Backlash, Government Suspends Automated Traffic Fines
The new arrangement follows the amendment of Statutory Instrument No. 55 of 2011, now revised and operationalized under Statutory Instrument No. 2 of 2025.
Speaking during the launch, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba said the initiative addresses growing challenges where landlords are either unknown, cannot be traced, or have deliberately refused to receive ground rent payments from tenants.
“This system allows tenants, especially those living on mailo land owned by absentee landlords, to pay their nominal ground rent to a central account managed by over the moment,” Nabakooba said. “It will protect lawful or bona fide occupants from eviction risks and ensure compliance with the law.”
In several areas, particularly in central Uganda, local leaders and residents say they have never seen or interacted with the landowners, some of whom have remained untraceable for decades. The ministry confirmed that even area local leaders and Rwandan holders (occupants) have failed to locate these landlords, despite repeated efforts.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry said the designated officers will oversee this process and ensure tenants are guided on how to remit payments safely into the official account.
The account was created in the Public Finance Management Act and is designated as:
Account Name: Ministry of Lands – Ground Rents (Busuulu)
Bank: Bank of Uganda (BRAPEX)
Currency: Ugandan Shillings (UGX)
Account Number: 001200884068
The Lands Ministry emphasized that the account is strictly for tenants whose landlords have refused rent or are completely absent. The centrcentralizedent mechanism is expected to streamline land tenure security and reduce conflicts between tenants and landlords.
Officials urged local leaders to sensitize tenants on the new payment procedures and to support the rollout of this initiative across districts.
