Big Story: Ssembabule Land Boss Behind Bars For ‘Milking’ UGX1 Billion From Wanainchi

By Swift Reporter

A Senior Land Management Officer in Ssembabule District has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court over allegations of extorting nearly UGX 1 billion from residents seeking government land titles.

Kananura Emmanuel Champion was on Wednesday charged with embezzlement, abuse of office, corruption and obtaining money by false pretence following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).

Kananura was subsequently remanded to prison until August 17, 2026.

According to investigators, between August 2024 and August 2026, Kananura allegedly used his position to collect between UGX 1.5 million and UGX 6 million from several land title applicants.

The total amount allegedly collected from the applicants is estimated at nearly UGX 1 billion.

Investigators allege that Kananura presented the payments as mandatory charges for obtaining government land titles under the Land Management Institution Strengthening Grant, despite allegedly knowing that applicants were not required to make such payments.

The programme, implemented under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UGIFT) Project, followed a Presidential directive aimed at helping beneficiaries acquire land titles at a lower cost.

The allegations came to light during the Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign in Ssembabule, where several residents reportedly came forward to complain that they had paid money to Kananura and other officials for land titles but had not received the documents they were promised.

The complaints triggered investigations by the anti-corruption agencies, culminating in Kananura’s arrest and subsequent arraignment.

Authorities have cautioned that the investigations are still ongoing, with more officials expected to face arrest and prosecution as investigators continue examining the allegations.

Kananura remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.