By Our Reporter
Lira, Uganda – In a significant crackdown on fraudulent land transactions, businessman Okwir Joel has been arraigned before the Lira Chief Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges, including Attempted Felony, Uttering False Documents, and Making False Documents.
The joint operation, spearheaded by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, resulted in Okwir’s prosecution over allegations of fraudulently acquiring a leasehold certificate for a forest reserve.
According to the prosecution, Okwir Joel, who previously served as the chairperson of the Area Land Committee in the Railway Division, Lira Municipality, is accused of exploiting his position to illegally obtain a lease for land located in Railways Quarters A village. The contested land falls within a designated forest reserve, as per the Lira Municipal Council’s urban development plan.
Investigations revealed that in September 2021, Okwir submitted land application forms to the Lira Ministry Zonal Office (MZO), falsely claiming to be the customary owner of the land. Despite knowing the land’s legal status, he sought to acquire ownership under fraudulent pretenses.
The prosecution further alleges that Okwir included falsified documents to support his application, notably a minute extract from a purported physical planning committee meeting. The document claimed that his application had been approved under minute LMC PPC 083/12/2020, supposedly from a session held on December 20, 2019. However, investigations confirmed that no such meeting or approval took place.
The case has sparked concerns over illegal land dealings and the abuse of authority by local land officials. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on fraudulent transactions, emphasizing that public officials and individuals who engage in land fraud will face the full force of the law.
Okwir Joel remains in custody as legal proceedings continue, with the court set to hear further evidence in the coming sessions. The case underscores the government’s renewed efforts to protect public land from fraudulent acquisition and preserve designated reserves from illegal encroachment.
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