What Is a Beacon Survey and Why Does It Matter?

A beacon survey is a technical inspection performed by a licensed surveyor to confirm the physical boundaries of a piece of land on the ground.

Why it matters: The title deed describes a plot by coordinates and measurements, but the physical beacons (concrete pillars placed at the corners of the plot) confirm where those boundaries actually are on the ground. Without a beacon survey, you may buy a plot and discover later that the boundaries are disputed or different from what you were shown.

What happens during a survey: The surveyor locates the existing beacons, confirms their coordinates match the title, and issues a survey report. If beacons are missing or displaced, the surveyor re-establishes them.

Who can do it: Only surveyors registered with the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers or the Uganda Survey Registration Board (SRB). Always ask for a surveyor's registration number.

When to get one: Before signing any sale agreement. The cost (usually UGX 300,000–1,500,000 depending on plot size and location) is small compared to the risk of a boundary dispute.