Minister inspects land disputes in Tanga and Handeni

Tanzania's Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dr Leonard Akwilapo, visited Tanga City and Handeni districts on August 19, 2026, to assess long-standing land disputes, as reported by the Daily News. The tour was part of efforts by the Sixth-Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to seek lasting solutions to land disputes across the country.

In Tanga City, the minister inspected a dispute over Plot No. 163, Block KB XVI, in the Raskazone area, where the plot owner claims that part of a road leading to the offices of GBP company has been constructed on his property. He also visited Chumvini in Chumbageni Ward, where developments had been carried out within a protected mangrove reserve.

Dr Akwilapo then travelled to Handeni Town Council, visiting areas affected by land disputes in Kwenjugo, Chaniko and Mdoe wardscars. In Kwenjugo Ward, he received briefings from councillors and local leaders on long-standing disputes that have caused uncertainty and tensions among residents.

One of the disputes reviewed involved Handeni Folk Development College (FDC) and Lyakundi Investment Company. Lyakundi is alleged to have been allocated a 21,937-square-metre parcel of land instead of the 5,625 square metres it was supposed to receive, with the allocation overlapping college land. Near Mshikamano Primary School, the minister also visited a plot where Lyakundi Investment had been stopped by Handeni Town Council from developing, following complaints about the procedures used to allocate the land.

In Milupi, Dr Akwilapo inspected a 15-acre dispute between the family of the late Yusuf Ulenge and Ngugwini Street leadership. At Seuta, Kwenjugo Ward Councillor Twaha Mgaya briefed the minister on reports that some plots had been allocated or transferred without the required procedures, with the minister visiting the affected Kwedisewa area.

Another dispute reviewed involved Handeni Town Council and the family of Hassan Msindo. The family claims ownership of a 30-acre parcel that was later surveyed and subdivided into plots; it says it was supposed to receive 60 percent of the land but was allocated only three plots.

A separate case concerned Handeni Folk Development College (FDC) and Lyakundi Investment Company, with the company alleged to have been allocated 21,937 square metres instead of the 5,625 square metres it was entitled to, resulting in an alleged overlap with land belonging to the college. Near Mshikamano Primary School, the minister visited a plot where Handeni Town Council had stopped Lyakundi Investment from developing, following complaints that the allocation procedures did not comply with required regulations.

Throughout the tour, the minister received briefings from councillors and local leaders on the long-standing disputes, which he said have caused uncertainty and tensions among residents. In Seuta, Kwenjugo Ward Councillor Twaha Mgaya briefed him on plots that had been allocated without following the required procedures.

In Milupi, the minister inspected a 15-acre dispute between the family of the late Yusuf Ulenge and the street leadership必, and in Handeni he examined a case involving the family of Hassan Msindo, who claim ownership of a 30-acre parcel that was surveyed and subdivided into plots. The family was meant to receive 60 percent of the land but was instead allocated only three plots.

Concluding the tour, Dr Akwilapo stressed the importance of government institutions, leaders and citizens complying with the laws, regulations and procedures governing land ownership and administration, saying adherence would help prevent disputes. He pledged that the ministry would issue directives on the inspected disputes in the near future.

The visit is tied to one of the six priorities of the ministry's 2026/2027 budget, specifically strengthening mechanisms for resolving land disputes.