The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya, has ordered the interdiction of the Commissioner for Land Registration, Mr. Baker Mugaino, over serious allegations of fraud, corruption, and abuse of office. This move comes amid mounting public outrage and numerous complaints regarding gross irregularities in the issuance and management of land titles.
According to a statement from the IGG’s office, Mr. Mugaino is accused of a range of misconduct, including the cancellation of genuine land titles and replacing them with fraudulent “special” certificates, arbitrary lifting of caveats, and facilitating the creation of multiple titles for the same piece of land.
In a further breach of procedure, the Commissioner is alleged to have issued freehold titles to foreign nationals and unlawfully converted Mailo and leasehold land titles into freehold titles actions that reportedly bypassed legally required processes such as public hearings and court decisions.
“These allegations point to a worrying pattern of deliberate misuse of authority for personal or political gain, contributing to widespread chaos and mistrust in the land sector,” IGG Beti Kamya said. “To ensure a fair and transparent investigation, Mr. Mugaino is hereby interdicted from office with immediate effect.”
The Inspectorate of Government noted that it has received numerous credible complaints from citizens and stakeholders in the land sector. Many of the accusations center on fraudulent practices that have left rightful landowners dispossessed, triggering legal disputes and public unrest.
The interdiction is expected to pave the way for an in-depth investigation into the operations of the Land Registry. The IGG has vowed to pursue the matter thoroughly to restore integrity in the sector and ensure that justice is served.
The land sector in Uganda has long been plagued by mismanagement and corruption, but the latest actions by the IGG signal a renewed effort by government institutions to uphold accountability and protect the rights of citizens.