What You Must Know Before Buying 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫.

Buying land in Uganda is a dream for many — whether for building a home, farming, or investment. But this major life decision demands careful preparation. Rushing into a land purchase without proper due diligence can result in serious financial and legal headaches.

Here are key steps you must undertake before buying land, with a strong emphasis on why hiring a land surveyor and a lawyer is non-negotiable:

1. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Always start by visiting the land physically. Don’t rely solely on photos, maps, or verbal promises. Check the accessibility, topography, and whether the land is occupied or under dispute.

2. 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞

Engage a qualified lawyer to carry out a search at the Ministry of Lands. This process helps confirm:

* The rightful owner of the land.

* Whether the title is clean (free from mortgages, caveats, or encumbrances).

* The exact acreage and details registered.

Without a lawyer, it’s easy to miss hidden legal traps or documents forged to appear legitimate.

3. 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐫

This is a critical but often overlooked step.

A licensed land surveyor will:

* Verify that the land you are buying matches the location and size stated on the title.

* Open boundaries by placing visible markers to avoid future disputes with neighbors.

* Detect any encroachments or overlaps with other properties.

* Produce an updated survey report, which is very useful during official land transfer processes.

Without a land surveyor, you risk paying for less land than you thought — or worse, land that doesn’t legally exist where you were shown.

4. 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

Always ensure the seller has authority to transact — especially when dealing with family land, customary land, or company-owned property. Your lawyer will guide you through verifying powers of attorney, company resolutions, or letters of administration where necessary.

5. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

After confirming all due diligence checks, your lawyer should draft a sales agreement detailing the terms of the transaction, payment schedule, and handover conditions.

6. 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲

Never pay money before a thorough legal and survey verification. And even then, make payments through traceable methods like bank transfers, not cash.

7. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫

With a lawyer’s help, apply for consent to transfer, pay required taxes (like stamp duty), and complete the official land registration to have the title transferred into your name.

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