Commissioner, district officials back in court over land fraud

KAMPALA - The acting commissioner for mapping and surveys, Jasper Kakooza, and nine others charged with fraudulently procuring a certificate of title are expected to reappear in court today, April 30, 2025.

Kakooza’s co-accused include Nicodemus Sitenda Magulu, 39 (Mpigi district physical planner), Hakim Bassajjangabo, 42 (Gomba district senior assistant secretary), Andrew Ssiwuliliza Sserunkuma, 60 (LC1 chairman of Mpogo village in Gomba district), Gladys Nakanwagi, 37 (Gomba district labour officer), and Hajji Badru Ismail Kayongo, 69 (former Gomba district land board chairman).

Others are businessman Allan Nuwahereza Katakanya, 39, George Mudenyi, 34 (security guard with Pyramid Security Group), casual labourer Abudu Senoga, 39, David Nabimanya, 40 (security supervisor at Pyramid Security Group), and boda boda rider Harunah Kisenyi, 18.

Last week, the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero issued arrest warrants for Vincent Mugenyi, 46 (Gomba district deputy resident commissioner), and businessman Fred Kirenga after they failed to appear in court to answer the charges.

This followed a submission by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, who told the court that the suspects had jumped police bond and could not be traced. He also stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The accused are scheduled to appear before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe for the hearing of their bail application.

They face charges of abuse of office, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act; forgery, contrary to Sections 319 and 322(a) of the Penal Code Act; and fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title.

Allegations

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired to create an overlapping title on an original land title for approximately 1,454 acres of land belonging to Madhvani Group Limited, located in Gomba District.

The suspects then reportedly carried out a boundary opening and took possession of more than 600 acres of land, during which tea plantations and over 540 acres of natural forest were destroyed.

IGG orders interdiction

While addressing journalists last Thursday, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, said public outcry had prompted her to launch investigations into the commissioner for land registration, Baker Mugaino.

The IGG revealed that she had directed the permanent secretary of the lands ministry to interdict Mugaino to allow for investigations to proceed without undue interference.