Can Non-Ugandan's and Foreigners Buy and Own Land in Uganda?
Precisely, foreigners can acquire and own land in Uganda but only under the leasehold tenure system. A foreigner can acquire leases of the land from the Ugandan Government in accordance with the laws prescribed by the parliament. The government grants leases on government-owned and privately owned land through district land boards.
Local investors and Ugandan citizens can own land while foreign investors are restricted to long-term leases, usually from five to 99 years. The 1995 Constitution grants land ownership rights solely to citizens of Uganda and if you take that privilege away, it's like robbing Ugandans of their constitutional rights to land ownership. Foreigners cannot own freehold land. They may, however, obtain leases for 49 or 99 years which are renewable on expiry.
Foreign investors, individuals or corporate companies cannot own any form of land for crop or animal production.
The Investment Code Act states that they shall not carry on the business of crop production, or animal production or acquire or be granted or lease land for crop production or animal production. An exception is provided for the provision of materials and any other assistance to Ugandan farmers in crop production and animal production or in cases of leasing land for purposes of manufacturing or carrying out activities where foreign investors cannot get incentives and a priority area for investment.
The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Uganda Investment Authority encourages foreign investment as a means to bolster the national economy and income per capita of Ugandans.
Foreigners can own companies without having any Ugandan shareholders, there is no law that directly blocks non-citizens from owning companies in Uganda, but in cases where the company is to be established on freehold land, then the law guarantees a Ugandan shareholder with at least 51% and above of the company investment.
IS IT SAFE TO OBTAIN LAND ON LEASEHOLD?
The Uganda property registration system is very effective and safe. Properties are registered at one single registry in a particular land office.
At the registry, the property details regarding the size of the property, the land tenure system, the full names of owners, and the address of the property (Village, Sub County, County, District and Region) are clearly indicated. And finally, the block and plot number of that particular property.
