In a powerful lead-up to the scientific conference at Kabira Country Club, Makerere University’s Department of Geomatics and Land Management hosted a transformative three day Pre-Conference workshop focused on advancing equitable land administration and sustainable practices across Eastern Africa. The gathering brought together renowned scholars, researchers, policymakers, and cultural leaders, each driven by a shared mission to strengthen land governance as a tool for socio-economic transformation. Makerere Univerity’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe officiated the closing ceremony, lauding the collective commitment to land justice and reminding participants that land remains “not just a factor of production, but a source of life” for communities across Uganda and beyond. The event took place at Fairway Hotel in Kampala-Uganda from 28th to 30th July 2025.
Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the growing pressures on Uganda’s land systems driven by rapid population growth and complex inheritance disputes. He cited a poignant case from Kawempe, where a family faces mounting tensions over ancestral land acquired nearly a century ago. As generational claims multiply, fragmentation has weakened the land’s viability and sparked disputes that mirror the nation’s broader land struggles. This example served as a microcosm of wider issues speculative land grabbing, mineral exploitation, and unplanned urban expansion all threatening Uganda’s social cohesion and development.
Makerere University reaffirmed its role as a scientific catalyst, urging academia to move from observation to long-range planning. By advancing participatory land use models and influencing policy with research-driven insights, the institution is laying the foundation for reforms anchored in equity and sustainability. Topics at the workshop included gender equality in land registration, community integration into the National Land Information System, and innovative planning approaches for refugee-hosting districts and fast-growing urban centers. Dr. Brian Makabayi underscored the value of affordable mapping tools for inclusive decision-making, while Head of Department Dr. Lydia Kayondo Ndandiko Mazzi spotlighted complementary training in UAV and GNSS technologies underway in Montgomery building national technical capacity.
The Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Prof. Moses Musinguzi applauded the Vice Chancellor’s presence as “a rare but empowering gesture,” emphasizing institutional resolve and acknowledging the critical role of development partners. The workshop continued the Advances in Geomatics Research series and aligned with the 14th annual Eastern African Land Administration Network (EALAN) summit, reinforcing collaboration among 12 regional universities and European counterparts. A symbolic handover of the network’s chair is anticipated in the final conference days, signaling the momentum for unified action in land governance across borders.
