KAMPALA, Uganda — The anti-corruption authorities have charged the acting commissioner for mapping and surveys at the Ministry of Lands and nine others with offenses related to the alleged fraudulent creation of land titles on property belonging to the Madhvani Group Ltd.
The Anti-Corruption Court on Monday arraigned Kakooza Jasper, along with Bassajjangabo Hakim, a senior assistant secretary in Gomba District; Siwuliliza Andrew Sserunkuma, a village chairman; Nakanwagi Gladys, a former secretary of the Gomba District Land Board; Hajju Kayongo Badru Ismail, former chairperson of the Gomba District Land Board; businessman Nuwahereza Allan Katakanya; security guards Mudenyi Gerald and Nabimanya David; casual laborer Ssenoga Abdu; and Kisenyi Harunah, a motorcycle taxi driver.
The charges include abuse of office, forgery, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forcible entry and detainer, destroying growing plants, and conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege that in 2024, the commissioner and the accused, along with others still at large, fraudulently created overlapping land titles on land registered to the Madhvani Group in 1955.
Under the pretense of conducting a boundary opening, the group allegedly forcibly took possession of over 600 acres of land in Gomba District, belonging to the Madhvani Group Limited. During this alleged takeover, they are accused of destroying tea plantations and over 540 acres of natural forest.
The court remanded the accused until April 30, 2025.
Arrest warrants have been issued for the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Gomba, Sitenda Nicodemus Mugalu, physical planner Mugenyi Vicent, and businessman Fred Kirenga in connection with the case.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Uganda Police Force, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
