Commissioner, district officials remanded over land fraud

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The Acting Commissioner for Mapping and Surveys, Jasper Kakooza, and nine others have been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison in connection with allegations of double titling and fraudulent procurement of certificates of title for land in Gomba.

Kakooza’s co-accused are;

▪️ 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)

▪️ Hajji Badru Ismail Kayongo, 69, (former Gomba district land board chairman)

▪️ Businessman Allan Nuwahereza Katakanya, 39

▪️ George Mudenyi, 34, (security guard working with Pyramid Security Group)

▪️ Casual labourer Abudu Senoga, 39

▪️ David Nabimanya, 40, (security supervisor at Pyramid Security Group)

▪️ Bodaboda rider Harunah Kisenyi, 18

Meanwhile, the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Vicent Mugenyi, 46, (Gomba district deputy resident commissioner) and businessman Fred Kirenga over failure to appear in court to answer the charges.

This was after Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya told the court that the suspects jumped Police bond and cannot be traced. He also said investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

The accused are battling charges of abuse of office, contrary to Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act; forgery, contrary to Section 319, 322 (a) of the Penal Code Act; and fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title.

Appearing before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on Friday (April 25), Kakooza and nine others who were produced in court denied the charges.

However, the magistrate said she could not hear the accused’s bail application because it was almost closing time for business.

“You will re-appear in court on April 30, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.

Allegations

According to prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired and created an overlapping title on an original title on land, approximately 1,454 acres belonging to Madhvani Group Limited, situated in Gomba district.

Consequently, the accused went ahead to conduct a boundary opening and purportedly took possession of over 600 acres of land and, in the process, destroyed tea plantations and over 540 acres of natural forest.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, said that public outcry has prompted her to launch investigations against the Commissioner for Land Registration, Baker Mugaino.

The IGG revealed that she has directed the lands ministry permanent secretary to interdict Mugaino to pave way for investigations without undue interference.