By Our Reporter
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has sentenced Matsiko Mutwingire Abert, former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Ibanda District, and Nuwagira Tom, the District Natural Resources Officer, to 18 months in prison for their role in the illegal sale of government land.
The two were convicted of Abuse of Office after unlawfully allocating 13 hectares of the protected Ibanda Forest Reserve to the Rukokoma Mixed Farmers Cooperative Society, bypassing legal procedures and without securing the required degazettement of the forest reserve.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court has ordered both convicts to compensate Ibanda District with UGX 10,470,000 each, an amount reflecting the financial loss the district incurred while recovering the unlawfully allocated land.
The ruling sends a strong signal against abuse of public office and illegal encroachment on protected land resources. Prosecutors argued that the accused willfully ignored legal safeguards intended to protect public land and natural resources, thus betraying their fiduciary responsibilities to the state and citizens.
Legal experts have hailed the judgment as a win for environmental governance and public accountability, warning that failure to follow proper land management protocols continues to threaten Uganda’s fragile ecosystems and encourages impunity among public officials.
Environmental advocacy groups have welcomed the verdict and urged government bodies to expedite land audits and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent further encroachments on protected areas.
The convicted officials are expected to serve their sentence immediately, pending any appeal.