By Angel Lubowa
Makindye
Arleast four people, including three officials attached to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Ministry Zonal Office (MZO), have been remanded to prison over allegations of conspiring to fraudulently acquire and transfer land belonging to a registered proprietor in Munyonyo, Kampala.
The accused are Wasswa Charles Jude, a Principal Assistant Secretary; Agaba Ronah, a Government Valuer; Achom Esther, a Data Entry Clerk; and Kizito John, a land dealer.
They were arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The four face charges relating to abuse of office, criminal conspiracy, forgery and fraudulent procurement of a land title. They were remanded until October 29, 2026 after they denied the alleged charges.
According to the prosecution, the case stems from an alleged scheme in 2024 to irregularly obtain a special certificate of title and facilitate the transfer of land situated at Munyonyo without the knowledge or consent of its registered owner, James Mulebeke.
The property, measuring approximately 0.2020 hectares, equivalent to about half an acre, is comprised in Kyadondo Block 255, Plot 532, in Kampala District.
Investigations indicate that Mulebeke has been the registered proprietor of the property since 2011.
The prosecution alleges that the accused exploited their respective positions and roles in the land administration process to facilitate the purported acquisition and transfer of the property using documents that were allegedly forged.
Investigators established that Kizito, the land dealer, initiated the process by providing documents intended to facilitate the processing of a special certificate of title without the knowledge or consent of Mulebeke.
Achom, who worked as a Data Entry Clerk at the KCCA MZO, allegedly received the transaction documents and forwarded them to Wasswa for processing.
However, the documents were reportedly never officially received at the zonal office, raising questions about how the transaction was initiated and handled within the land administration system.
The application for the special certificate of title was allegedly made using forged documents, according to the investigation.
Wasswa is accused of using his position to influence Nabukeera Madinah, a Registrar of Titles at the KCCA MZO, to issue the special certificate of title without requiring the registered proprietor to appear physically for identification.
Investigators allege that Wasswa told the registrar that he knew the applicant, a claim that reportedly influenced the processing of the title without the usual identification safeguards being followed.
The investigation further established that Madinah subsequently approved the transfer of the land to Kizito without the registered owner appearing for identification and without verifying the authenticity of the national identity card and payment receipts for stamp duty and registration fees.
The alleged irregularities raise concerns about compliance with verification procedures intended to protect registered landowners against fraudulent transactions and unauthorised transfers of property.
The investigation also questioned the valuation of the property during the alleged fraudulent transaction.
Agaba, a Government Valuer, allegedly valued the land at Shs200 million, significantly below its prevailing market value, which investigators estimate to be more than Shs600 million. The difference between the reported valuation and the estimated market value exceeds Shs400 million.
Investigators are examining the circumstances under which the valuation was conducted and its role in the processing of the disputed transaction.
The case also names Mulindwa Jude Tadeo, another Government Valuer, who allegedly processed the transaction without payment of the requisite stamp duty.
According to the investigation, the alleged actions of the individuals involved facilitated the irregular issuance of a special certificate of title and the subsequent transfer of the property, potentially prejudicing the interests of Mulebeke, its rightful owner.
The prosecution alleges that the accused participated in a criminal conspiracy involving the irregular issuance of the special certificate of title and the fraudulent transfer of the land.
In addition to the four people who have been arraigned and remanded, criminal summons have been issued to Nabukeera Hamida and Mulindwa Jude Tadeo in connection with the matter.
The investigation also identifies Nabukeera Madinah, the Registrar of Titles who allegedly approved the issuance of the special certificate of title and the subsequent transfer of the property.
The circumstances surrounding the roles of the individuals named in the investigation are expected to be addressed through the ongoing legal proceedings.
The case highlights potential vulnerabilities in land registration and transfer processes when verification requirements, document authentication and payment procedures are allegedly bypassed.
The alleged involvement of officials responsible for processing land documents and conducting valuations also raises questions about internal controls and accountability within public institutions responsible for land administration.
Land fraud remains a concern for property owners, particularly where individuals allegedly use forged documents or exploit administrative procedures to obtain titles or transfer registered property without the owners’ consent.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit is pursuing the matter alongside CID and the ODPP as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
