By Our Reporter
A senior official in the Ministry of Lands and nine other individuals were on Thursday arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala over their alleged involvement in a large-scale land fraud scheme targeting property belonging to the Madhvani Group Limited.
The suspects, including Kakooza Jasper, the Ag Commissioner for Mapping and Surveys at the Ministry of Lands, were charged with multiple counts related to the fraudulent creation of land titles overlapping an existing registered title belonging to the Madhvani Group. The land in question, registered as FRV 60 Folio 4 in Musongole Village, Mpenja Subcounty, Gomba District, has been in the company’s name since 1955.
The prosecution alleges that the accused conspired to fraudulently create new land titles on over 600 acres of the Madhvani estate. The titles were allegedly created under the pretense of conducting a boundary opening, during which the accused are said to have forcefully taken possession of the land, destroyed tea plantations, and cleared over 540 acres of natural forest.
List of Accused & Charges
The ten accused individuals include:
- Kakooza Jasper – Acting Commissioner, Mapping and Surveys, Ministry of Lands
- Bassajjangabo Hakim – Senior Assistant Secretary, Kabulasooke, Gomba District
- Siwuliliza Andrew Sserunkuma – Chairman LC1, Mpogo Village
- Nakanwagi Gladys – Former Secretary, Gomba District Land Board
- Hajju Kayongo Badru Ismail – Former Chairperson, Gomba District Land Board
- Nuwahereza Allan Katakanya – Businessman
- Mudenyi Gerald – Security Guard
- Nabimanya David – Security Guard
- Ssenoga Abdu – Casual Labourer
- Kisenyi Harunah – Boda Boda Rider
The charges they face include abuse of office, forgery, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forcible entry, forcible detainer, destruction of growing plants, and conspiracy to commit both misdemeanors and felonies.
The group was remanded to custody until 30th April 2025 as investigations continue.
More Suspects Still At Large
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), which worked jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), additional suspects are still at large.
Arrest warrants have been issued for:
- Sitenda Nicodemus Mugalu – Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Gomba
- Mugenyi Vincent – Physical Planner
- Fred Kirenga – Businessman
These individuals are believed to have played key roles in the conspiracy, which resulted in the unlawful occupation of protected land and environmental degradation.
Corruption Center Of All
The case has cast a spotlight on corruption within Uganda’s land administration systems, particularly in rural districts where land grabbing is widespread. The alleged fraudulent scheme involving high-ranking officials and local government actors reflects ongoing vulnerabilities in the land titling process and the challenges faced by both private investors and communities in protecting land rights.
The Madhvani Group, one of Uganda’s oldest and largest conglomerates with major investments in agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality, has not yet issued a formal public statement on the matter.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit reiterated its commitment to holding public officials accountable and vowed to pursue all suspects involved in the scheme.
“This case is a reminder that no one is above the law,” SHACU stated. “We are determined to protect property rights, public land, and the environment from criminal abuse and corruption.”
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