On September 2, 2023, Attorney Deo Kalikumutima, the Chief Executive Partner of Kalikumutima & Co. Advocates was a Guest speaker and moderator at the 2023 UNAA Land Forum in Dallas, Texas. He addressed Ugandans in the diaspora about land acquisition, land leases, land rights, land grabbing, land scams, land fraud, and fake land titles. He explored viable solutions to combat these widespread problems in Uganda.
Counsel Deo and the technical team from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, led by the Minister of State for Lands, Honorable Sam Mayanja responded to land-related complaints raised at the forum.
In Uganda, land challenges are a complex issue with far-reaching implications. Counsel Deo used his practical formulacomprising of several key elements: information acquisition, due diligence, sustainability efforts to combat global warming, and compliance with laws and regulations to offer solutions to land challenges for Ugandans in the diaspora. This formula offers new avenues for resolving land issues in Uganda.
Sustainability. Counsel Deo advanced a positive debate for the sustainable use of Uganda’s land resources. He asked participants to advocate for change in conserving the environment by leaving forests, wetlands, and road reserves to combat global warming.
land acquisition. Deo challenged Ugandans in the Diaspora to seek more information at home regarding land procedures to fight land fraud. He asked them to come back home and learn the right procedures. He shared remedies for land victims like Civil and criminal court processes. Kalikumutima shared how the current land information system is addressing fraud.
When it comes to land deals, he reminded all participants not to take anything at face value. On due diligence, Counsel Deo cautioned the participants against concluding land transactions in a day or two without doing thorough due diligence and involving experts. He shared the consequences of taking up juicy land deals without due diligence like ending up with an inaccurate land size. He challenged them to always conduct a survey before purchasing the land to confirm if the size of the land on the title is the same as that on the ground.
On land protection, Deo shared about due diligence, terms of Land lease agreements, practical solutions to land grabbing and overall land management in Uganda. He shared how those abroad can transact in land without coming to Uganda.
Kalikumutima cautioned Ugandans in America to exercise extra due diligence before buying deceased’s estates due to their complexities. He reminded them to make sure there is an authentic death certificate before transacting in an estate of the deceased. They should not rely on just a mere land search statement. A land title search is insufficient to move forward. They should perform special due diligence on documents such as the death certificate and court cases involving the grant and the beneficiaries. He reminded them of the need for consent of all beneficiaries before buying deceased’s estate land. The family must appoint a legal representative who must act in the interest of the beneficiaries. On leases, he asked the participants to honour the land lease agreements because failing to do so can lead to the termination of the lease and potential loss of ownership rights. It’s important to understand that a lease is a legally binding contract, and adherence to its terms is crucial for maintaining one’s rights and obligations as a tenant.
The first UNAA Land Forum discussion came at a time when the Diaspora Desk had just been created at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to directly address land-related matters for Ugandans in the Diaspora, following a request by UNAA. Hon. Dr. Sam Mayanja, the Minister of State for Lands; Mr Chris Tembo, the Chairman of Standards Committee, Uganda National Land Information System; and Mr. Bigira Johnson, Ag. Asst.Commissioner Land Registration were some of the panellists at the Land Forum.
Attorney Deo Kalikumutima is a real estate lawyer who has dedicated his time to offering practical legal solutions with proven expertise over the past 10 years in Land conveyance, Business licensing, Tax advisory, Dispute resolution, foreign investment, Finance and banking, Securities, Intellectual property, and Immigration. Deo holds postgraduate qualifications in Tax advisory and Tax planning, all of which are critical for sustainable business licensing. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, Hons (UCU), Dip. L.P (LDC) and PODITRA-Tax. Our Chief Executive Partner is also the official Legal Representative for Diasporans on Land Matters.
Kalikumutima and Company Advocates is a leading law firm in Uganda that serves clients in the energy sector, real estate, oil and gas, and government sectors. Kalikumutima and Co Advocates combines legal prowess with the precision of IT professionals, surveyors, valuers, and engineers, resulting in a legal masterpiece.
The UNAA Convention is a significant platform for Ugandans living abroad, focusing on promoting social, cultural, and economic development. Founded in 1988, UNAA is the oldest and largest Ugandan diaspora organization. It aims to promote the social, cultural, and economic development of the Ugandan Community in North America and beyond. The Ugandan Community in North America numbers over 120,000 individuals.