KAMPALA, Uganda — The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has blocked a Shs13 billion compensation payment to a man accused of fraudulently claiming ownership of land in Kiyugu, Sheema District.
According to a press statement released yesterday evening by the IGG’s press unit, the ombudsman received a whistleblower complaint last November. The complaint alleged that the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) was in the process of paying James Kumwesiga, who had allegedly impersonated Polycarp Simba Atuhumuza, the true owner of the land.
“Investigations conducted by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) established that Mr. Kumwesiga had jointly opened a false bank account in ABSA Bank with two other persons using forged national identity cards and telephone numbers, and submitted it to ULC for payment,” the IGG statement read in part. “The IGG directed ULC to immediately halt the payment.”
The statement added: “Mr. Kumwesiga was arrested and is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). As a result of the intervention, the IGG saved a loss of Shs13 billion to the government.”
Uganda reportedly loses Shs10 trillion to corruption schemes annually. Against this backdrop, the ombudsman has cautioned government ministries, departments, and agencies to conduct thorough due diligence before making payments to creditors to ensure accountability, prevent financial loss, and safeguard public resources.
Prosecution’s Case
Kumwesiga, also known as Atuhumuza Simba Polycarp, a self-employed resident of Kungu in Kira Division, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, was arrested in December 2024. He faces charges of forgery and impersonation with intent to steal land.
According to the prosecution, Kumwesiga, in 2024 within Kampala District or its environs, allegedly created a false National Identity Card with NIN: CMS706210EGJ9G, purporting it was issued to him by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), which was not the case, with intent to defraud or deceive.
It is further alleged that Kumwesiga, along with others still at large, forged a document titled “Bank Account for Payment of Compensation for Land,” concerning land at Block 19 Plot 49 Kiyunga, Sheema District. The letter, dated Nov. 6, 2024, was reportedly addressed to the Secretary of the Uganda Land Commission and purportedly signed by Atuhumuza Simba Polycarp, the person Kumwesiga is accused of impersonating.
The prosecution contends that Kumwesiga, with intent to defraud Atuhumuza of over Shs13 billion, falsely represented himself as Atuhumuza before the Uganda Land Commission.
