HUYE – The Director of the National Lands Centre has urged local leaders to rely on the land law when resolving land-related disputes so as to enhance cooperation between residents.

Francois Ntaganda, made the call on Thursday while speaking at a two-day training on the new land law.

He said that land disputes have escalated mainly due to historical reasons, adding that local leaders should desist from corruption while resolving land-related disputes.

"Corruption cases in this land registration process will not be tolerated, the land registration exercise should be done in total transparency,” he said.

Ntaganda called upon local leaders to acquaint themselves with adequate knowledge about the land law so as to guide the people they lead during the exercise.

"Local land committees have to first understand the land law and then sensitise residents who are the main target group,” he noted.

The officer in-charge of lands in Huye district, Gabriel Ngayaboshya said the training will encourage and enhance ongoing initiatives aimed at mobilising residents to embrace the land registration exercise given its importance to their livelihoods.

"After the land registration exercise residents will have full ownership of their land, the important thing is that they can use these land titles to acquire bank loans,” he said.

The land registration exercise in the district kicks off next week.

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