Assessing the impact of issuance of certificates of customary ownership (CCOs) to the tenure security of the beneficiaries (customary land owners) : a case study of Kasese District

Abstract

This study assessed whether the issuance of Certificates of Customary Ownership has improved the tenure security of the customary land owners in Kasese district. The study was anchored on three objectives which included; investigating the effect of Certificates of Customary Ownership on access to credit by holders, the effect of Certificates of Customary Ownership on the level boundary disputes in the communities and the effect of Certificates of Customary Ownership on land transactions on customary land. The study considered a cross-sectional survey research design considering both quantitative and qualitative research approach. Data was collected from 106 participants where 90 were CCO holders that used questionnaires and 16 were other direct stakeholders that were interviewed. The study findings revealed that people utilize their land with CCOs as collateral security to secure loans from financial institutions, with a high success rate observed in loan applications unlike before. The presence of CCOs was later associated with a decrease in boundary disputes, attributed to the adjudication process during application for CCOs and the clarity and documentation they provide regarding land ownership. CCOs facilitate formal land transactions by providing documented evidence of ownership, thereby promoting land markets. Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended that Policymakers should explore options such as fee waivers for low-income individuals and simplifying the application process to ensure affordability and inclusivity and reduce delays in the issuance process. There is need to integrate CCOs into the National Land Information Systems to ensure their visibility and accessibility to land users and stakeholders. Lastly, Procedures to handle subsequent transactions on CCOs such as Caveats, mortgages, subdivisions, transfers need to be put in place for CCOs to realize their full potential.