By Our Reporter
The Anti-Corruption Court has this afternoon remanded Omara Geoffrey, the former Lira City Physical Planner, and Okello Lawrence, a prominent businessman in Lira, on multiple charges related to fraudulent acquisition and destruction of protected forest land.
The two were arraigned following a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
They face charges of Abuse of Office, Fraudulent Procurement of a Certificate of Title, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Altering Boundary Marks, and Illegal Occupation and Commercial Use of a Forest Reserve. The suspects have been remanded until May 6, 2025.
Investigations revealed that while serving as Lira City’s physical planner, Omara Geoffrey authored a fraudulent forwarding letter dated 12th June 2018, addressed to the Secretary of the Lira District Land Board. In it, he falsely claimed that the physical planning committee had approved a lease application for land within Lira Central Forest Reserve. This letter was used to irregularly obtain a land title on forest reserve land — a move not sanctioned by any competent authority.
The illegally acquired title was later transferred to Okello Lawrence, who is accused of clearing a portion of the forest, pouring murram to drain it, and commencing the construction of a petrol station on the ecologically sensitive land.
The Ministry of Water and Environment had officially warned Okello about the illegality of his activities within the forest reserve. However, he allegedly defied these directives, emboldened by political support from some leaders in Lira, and continued the development works.
Authorities further noted that Omara Geoffrey has previously been convicted twice on separate charges involving the illegal sale of government land within Lira City and District, raising broader concerns about systemic corruption in land management within the region.
Environmentalists have condemned the act, describing it as another blow to Uganda’s rapidly shrinking forest cover. The case has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of environmental protection laws and more accountability from public officials.
The duo will remain in custody as investigations continue, with the prosecution expected to present additional evidence on May 6.
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