Request a search of the property at the Department of Land Registration
Agency: Department of Land Registration
The process starts by requesting a search of the property in the Registry of Lands. The requester has to fill out a form addressed to the Commissioner, Land Registration indicating the details of the property to be searched. The Registry gives a Bank Advice Form (BAF) with the amount to be paid at the Commercial Bank.
Time and cost: 1 day, paid in procedure 2
Pay Search Fee at designated Commercial Bank
Agency: Commercial Bank
The government allows now citizens to pay at one of the designated pool of commercial banks to facilitate the process for paying fees. For every procedure in which fees are paid, the user has to go first to the Land Registry to obtain the Bank Advice Form (BAF) with the amount to be paid, and then go to the bank for paying the BAF plus the bank fees. The receipt should be presented later at the Land Registry to complete the procedure.
Time and cost: 1 day, UGX 12,500 (UGX 12,500 (UGX 10,000 search fee + UGX 2,500 bank fee))
Conduct a search at the Department of Land Registration
Agency: Department of Land Registration
Parties conduct the search at the Registry of Lands. The receipt with the payment of the search fee from the bank must be presented.
Time and cost: 5 days, paid in procedure 2
Lawyer drafts sale agreement
Agency: Lawyer
It is not mandatory to hire a lawyer to draw up the sale agreement or conduct the transaction, but it is common practice.
Time and cost: 1 day, UGX 2,661,963.62
The fees shall be calculated cumulatively. Where the consideration exceeds UGX 20.000.000:
- 5% of the amount not exceeding UGX 10.000.000;
- 3% of the amount exceeding UGX 10.000.000 but not exceeding UGX 20.000.000;
- 2% of the amount exceeding UGX 20.000.000.
Valuation of property for transfer purposes by Chief Government Valuer’s Office
Agency: Chief Government Valuer office
A government valuer will determine the value of the property for transfer purposes and for assessing and paying stamp duty. For this end, the buyer has to fill in a Declaration of Instrument Form with details about his/her name, TIN, Instrument number, the purchase price (UGX), payment registration number, number of copies to be stamped, details of the seller, among others. The seller then presents the form, copies of the Consent Form and a photocopy of the certificate of title to the Government Valuer for purposes of valuation. The Government Valeur is obligated to physically visit the property for purposes of valuation and make notes/ observations that influence the assessment.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Obtain assessment form for payment of stamp duty from Uganda Revenue Authority
Agency: Uganda Revenue Authority
Once the Chief Government valuer has given his consent on the cost, the file is taken to the Uganda Revenue Authority, where an assessment form for Stamp duty is provided. At that time, the name of the designated bank will be provided.
Time and cost: 3 days, paid in procedure 7
Payment of stamp duty at the designated commercial bank
Agency: Commercial Bank
Stamp duty must be paid at the commercial bank before registration. The government requires now all official fees to be paid at Commercial Banks to control the revenue product of payments to public agencies. There is an assessment form which is taken to the bank for making the payment. The Bank will inform the Uganda Revenue Authority when payment has been received. There is a reconciliation process between the Bank and the Uganda Revenue Authority which can take up to 4 days.
Time and cost: 4 days, UGX 1,696,472.72 (1.5% of property price (of the government’s valuation))
Obtain assessment of registration fee at the Department of Land Registration
Agency: Department of Land Registration
The sale agreement is given to the Kampala Capital City Authority for assessment of Registration Fee. The assessment form provides the amount to be paid for the registration fees and the name of the designated bank.
The documentation shall include:
- Signed sale agreement (obtained in Procedure 4)
- Receipts of stamp duty payment (obtained in Procedure 7)
- Companies’ resolutions to buy and sell
Time and cost: 1 day, paid in procedure 9
Payment of registration fee at the designated commercial bank
Agency: Commercial Bank
Registration fees must be paid in a designated commercial bank to continue with the registration process.
Time and cost: 1 day, UGX 42,500 (UGX 22,500 (UGX 20,000 in fees + 2,500 bank fee) + UGX 20,000 (registration of companies’ resolutions))
The transfer documents are lodged at the Department of Land Registration
Agency: Department of Land Registration
The transfer documents lodged at the Registry of Lands, where they will be transmitted to the Registrar who will pass the Instrument of Transfer. The file goes to typing and is then sent to the Commissioner in charge of land registration for verification. The registrar cancels out the old owner in handwriting and signs against the new owner. The buyer and seller must now provide a passport size photograph.
The documentation shall include:
- Receipts of payment for registration fees (obtained in Procedure 9)
- Photo ID of both Seller and Buyer
- Owner’s copy of the title
The Land Registry is currently undergoing a file digitization process. It involves scanning of all paper files and the creation of a computer database reducing the speed of transactions.
Time and cost: 11 days, no charge
