Through fresh Criminal Summons, the embattled and crestfallen land broker and proprietor of Kamoga Property Consultants Limited, Kamoga will have to painstakingly satisfy court and the Chief Magistrate in Entebbe that he has not committed any fraud and forgery crimes thus far. Criminal summons against Kamoga were issued last week by Chief Magistrate Edgar Tibayeita Tusiime, on September 24^th directing him to appear without fail and in person.

The supposed crafty and lethal businessman is set to content court today Monday, September 29^th 2025, with answers to multiple charges of forgery and fraudulent land transactions. The craftsman that Kamoga is said to be, it’s alleged that he forged lawyers signatures, stamp and practicing certificate to effect his selfish and fraudulent interests in 2021.

Court documents indicate that Kamoga, 40, a resident of Bugabo-Garuga village in Wakiso District, faces a total of 14 charges, including nine counts of forgery, three counts of uttering false documents, and two counts of obtaining registration by false pretense — all offenses registered under Uganda’s Penal Code Act.

Investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) allege that in 2021, Kamoga forged several land transfer forms and a practicing certificate for advocates, which he allegedly used to unlawfully transfer land ownership to his name. The forged documents reportedly bore the names of Bibangamba Peter and Advocate Nkamwesiga Lorna, who both deny signing the documents.

The disputed transactions are said to have occurred at the Wakiso Lands Office in Busiro, involving plots of land in Busiro Block 435. In one instance, Kamoga is alleged to have fraudulently used a forged transfer form to register land under Instrument No. WBU-00286515. Authorities further allege that Kamoga presented the forged documents to the Registrar of Titles in an attempt to acquire land ownership by false pretense.

The case has since been taken over by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), reflecting growing concern over fraud and forgery in land transactions across the country. Should Kamoga be found guilty, he is likely going to face substantial penalties, including a prison sentence, as stipulated under the Penal Code.

Their presence can therefore increase local demand for goods and services, expand the tax base, and create new markets. As seen above and aware of the impact, the Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has signed a Grant and Project Implementation Agreement for a five-year project designed to improve water, sanitation, and urban infrastructure for refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda.

The €22.6 million project (Over UGX92 Billion), titled “Climate Resilience and Water Infrastructure for Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda,” is co-financed by the German Government through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Development Bank and the European Union, with additional contributions from the Government of Uganda and NWSC.

Targeting Arua City and the surrounding districts of Maracha and Terego, the project will focus on rehabilitating and expanding water supply systems, sanitation networks, and boreholes, while also addressing other urban infrastructure needs such as storm water and solid waste management.

As they signed the agreement in Kampala, NWSC Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha hailed Uganda government’s commitment to supporting both refugee settlements and the host communities that share resources with them through such initiatives.

“The Government of Uganda, working through NWSC, is implementing this project to support refugee settlements and the surrounding host communities,” Dr. Mugisha noted. “Our approach of working closely with Arua City Council authorities and the Ministry of Water and Environment is key to achieving collective success.” He expressed gratitude to the Government of Germany, the European Union, and other partners for backing Uganda’s water and sanitation for all agenda.

“We have implemented a number of projects with NWSC and reiterate our unwavering support towards Uganda’s water and sanitation for all agenda,” she said, adding that refugee communities in Arua remain a priority. “It is for this reason that KfW has unwaveringly supported this initiative to improve the livelihoods of the people of Arua and the surrounding areas.”

The financing structure of the project includes a €9 million grant from the German Government through KfW, €13.6 million from the European Union, and an additional €1.385 million contributed jointly by the Government of Uganda and NWSC.

In terms of scope, the project will prioritize improvements in water supply by rehabilitating and expanding the capacity of the existing water treatment plant and pumping mains. About 70 kilometers of new supply lines will also be laid to extend access to safe water. Alongside this, sanitation infrastructure will be strengthened through the rehabilitation and expansion of sewer networks and lifting stations, ensuring that waste management keeps pace with the growing population in Arua and surrounding areas.

The initiative also tackles urban infrastructure challenges beyond water and sanitation. Storm water management and solid waste management are integral components, with the development of physical plans for Arua City expected to support long-term climate resilience and orderly urban growth. Authorities at NWSC revealed to this website that the procurement process for a consultant to oversee the design and construction has already begun a clear signal of the transition from planning to implementation.

The sensitization activity took place under the company’s Bikole Masavu campaign, which combines consumer rewards with educational outreach. The initiative is aimed at discouraging the consumption of unregulated alcohol products that pose serious health risks, while also celebrating PDL’s 25 years of serving the Ugandan market.

During the engagement, the PDL team spoke directly to market vendors, traders, and boda-boda riders about the consequences of illicit alcohol, including long-term health complications and economic losses. The team also emphasized the importance of making informed choices by consuming only certified and regulated beverages.

In addition to the sensitization, PDL handed over a brand-new Bajaj motorcycle to a lucky customer, Emmanuel Okello, a barber from Bamunanuka sub-county who emerged as the first winner of the motorcycle in the ongoing customer rewards program. This giveaway is part of several community-focused activities that PDL has lined up to appreciate customers while reinforcing positive behavioral change.

In his remarks, Okello said, “I am very happy to have won a brand-new Bajaj boda-boda with Bikole Masavu. At first, I didn’t believe it was true, but it is. I urge all of you who can to join the promotion and win.” Godfrey Serutta, the Head of Sales at Premier Distilleries Limited, expressed his excitement in rewarding their loyal customers. He also spoke about the dangers of illicit alcohol currently circulating the market.

He said, “There is a lot of illicit alcohol on the market putting many Ugandans at risk. Much as we are rewarding our customers and celebrating our 25^th year in the market, we are also educating them at the grassroots levels. That is why we are here at the Wobulenzi Market, to ensure that we celebrate but also educate.”

Bikole Masavu campaign is part of its broader effort to give back to Ugandans as the brand marks 25 years in business. Other winners from the campaign include, Peter Khaukha from Bikusa-Bweyogerere who won a smart phone, Robert Balikuddembe from Katale-Seguku who won a TV, and Francis Opio from Naguru Go Down won one million Ugandan Shillings.

Consumers can participate by purchasing a bottle of either Coffee Flavoured Vodka or Simba Gin, checking under the cap for a unique code, SMS it to 6688 for a chance to win instantly and weekly prizes including smartphones, TVs, motorcycles and a grand prize of 50 million Ugandan Shillings.

For years, many residents in the greater Kampala Metro’s informal settlements struggled to access clean and affordable water. Take for example in some areas, vendors charged as much as UGX500 per jerrycan, forcing families into difficult financial decisions. The situation today has changed.

Leveraging the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LV-WATSAN) Package 5B Project and strategic partnerships, the UPP Branch has increased efforts to improve access, reduce exploitation, and strengthen revenue performance, particularly through the introduction of the SUSTEQ prepaid water meter system.

Having been strategically launched close to people in July 2024, the technology offers a transparent, affordable, and digital-first model for water access, enabling customers to buy tokens via mobile money, with each token dispensing 20 litres at just UGX 25 per jerrican. This price has significantly lowered the cost of water for low-income households, eliminating the exploitation that came with relying on private water vendors.

To date, 1,272 prepaid hubs have so far been installed, with 19,083 tokens registered and 18,586 customers actively on-boarded. Distribution of these hubs has spanned Kawempe, Nakawa, Makindye, Kampala Central, Lubaga, Nansana, Kira, Makindye Ssabagabo, Nabweru, and Lwemiyaga. Whereas areas like Bwaise, Kansanga, Kireka, Nakulabye and surrounding communities are next in line, as installation efforts continue to expand coverage.

This improved access is already driving measurable results, with the Urban Pro-Poor Branch recording water sales of 45,225 cubic metres in June 2025, up from 43,215 cubic metres in July 2024, and achieving 97 percent of its monthly target. Meanwhile, credit collections saw a significant increase as well, with UGX 83.3 million collected in June 2025, up from UGX 50.7 million in July 2024. This surpassed the UGX 45 million monthly target and showed a 132% achievement rate.

Branch Manager Ms. Evelyn Mukajusi attributes this growth in performance to the rise in registered tokens, from 7,200 to over 19,000, along with increased convenience through e-services and the continued meter rollout across underserved communities. Given the socio-economic vulnerability in informal settlements, the UPP Branch has also prioritized direct community engagement.

For instance, in recent months, the team has worked with Habitat for Humanity and the Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) to sensitize residents, register customers, and demystify prepaid meter usage. These initiatives have helped overcome misinformation from former PSPs and addressed challenges like low digital literacy and poor awareness of how the prepaid system works.

This approach to pro-poor service delivery has begun attracting regional and international attention, with benchmarking visits from Zambia’s Nkana Water and Sewerage Company, Blantyre Water Board from Malawi, Asa Jonsson – The head of Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance (GWOPA), a commendation from JICA, and a recent knowledge-sharing session with the Hargeisa Water Agency. A clear depiction of the recognition the model is receiving beyond Uganda.

The SUSTEQ meter, designed to replace the older Kent meters, has brought transparency and control to water access in informal settlements. Residents can now manage their consumption without the burden of inflated prices or irregular service. These changes have done more than ease the burden of water access. They have fueled a shift in mindset, from coping, to full ownership. With the new financial year, the branch is focused on completing installation of the remaining 1,160 meters, expanding its customer base, responding swiftly to anomalies, and maintaining all newly installed systems to ensure consistent and uninterrupted service.

Once the respected director of St. Francis Secondary School in Mengo, Kampala, Ssessanga died under deeply suspicious circumstances, allegedly having been poisoned. But this is not a story for telling tonight. Hold onto it there. Back to the Ssesanga’s legacy, estate and problematic family escapades. What is even more alarming is the turmoil that engulfed his estate after his passing. Despite leaving a valid Will instructing that none of his properties be sold, his legacy has been under systematic assault — not only from external actors, but, tragically, from within his own family.

The story

In 1981, Mr. Ssessanga lawfully purchased a kibanja in Ziranumbu, Busabala, in Wakiso District. In 1982, around two years later, Christopher Sekimpi, one of the witnesses to the purchase, initially officially registered a larger piece of the land which also contained Mr. Ssessanga’s kibanja, into his own name and later in 1985, sold a part of it to Mr. Eridard Muliira, father of Mr. Peter Muliira and Dr. Ham Mukasa Muliira. 

Fast forward, Ssessanga passed away in 1989 before officially registering his kibanja interest, leaving behind a widow and six minor children. The High Court granted the Administrator General authority over his estate with the will annexed. While the family continued in possession and use of the land, their interest remained unregistered, a gap that would later be exploited, giving rise to the present disputes over ownership and control.

Enter the Muliiras:

In 2020, when Peter Mulira, acting as administrator of his father’s estate, re-entered the land, the Ssessanga family introduced themselves. He dismissed them as illegal squatters, even though their purchase occurred four years before his father’s acquisition of the larger parcel and its official registration. 

What followed was a series of contested actions, that led to felling or destruction of mature eucalyptus trees, fences to the land torn down, illegal surveys conducted, as alien individuals surfaced, claiming to have bought parts of the land from Peter Muliira. In response, the Ssessanga family lodged a series of caveats to protect their interest.

In 2022, Dr. Ham Mukasa Muliira was appointed co-administrator of his father’s estate. In 2024, the Ssessanga family’s registered caveats were unexpectedly vacated by the land registry, reportedly in connection with a process to “correct irregularities” in prior land transactions. The plot was subsequently restored to its original number without any caveats, after which Peter Mulira and Dr. Ham Mukasa Muliira divided it between themselves, each assuming ownership of a portion of the plot. 

While the exact circumstances surrounding the caveat removals remain unclear, their timing has left the family questioning whether they were linked to the administrative changes. Since then, tensions have surged: late-night intrusions, attempted land grabs, constant surveillance by known land brokers, and graders stationed at strategic points near the land.

Family division:

The family itself is divided. This has itself worked in favour of the land grabbing Muliira’s. Of the six siblings, two appear to have aligned with Dr. Ham Muliira, even as he seeks to apportion their interest in a way that leaves them with less land than they originally held. The other four siblings are fighting to defend their father’s will and have petitioned the High Court (HCS 427 of 2024) to revoke the Administrator General’s authority, citing mismanagement. 

The four siblings allege that Dr. Ham Muliira, working through successive legal firms, such as Ssekidde Associated Advocates and Mpanga Advocates has acted in coordination with the two dissenting siblings while pressuring the other four to appoint administrators in what he terms as assisting him in “dealing with his land.” The four siblings have refused to budge because they regard this as bypassing the ongoing court process. 

These siblings further claim that one of his legal representatives, Ssekidde Associated Advocates went as far as intentionally misleading local authorities in Ziranumbu into believing that all the siblings’ legal teams had met and agreed to allow Dr. Ham to grade the land, an assertion the four beneficiaries and their legal team firmly deny.

Concerns at Wakiso land office:

Serious allegations and concerns also surround the Kyadondo Lands Office in Wakiso District regarding the handling of the four siblings’ caveats. According to the search record, a beneficiary’s caveat lodged on 20th May 2025 was removed less than a month later, under a “court order”, yet no such order was ever served to or through the estates beneficiaries’ lawyers. 

Another beneficiary’s caveat, also lodged on 20th May 2025, was marked as “Caveat Lapse” , a highly irregular occurrence, since beneficiary caveats can only be removed through a court process, not by lapse.  A further caveat, submitted and registered on 1st August 2025 with documentation clearly indicating a claim as beneficiaries under a will, was instead categorized under “Others” rather than “Beneficiary’s Caveat.” 

This misclassification has now been followed by a notice of intended lapse on 12th August 2025; a step the four siblings believe was taken to fast-track its removal without judicial oversight. The siblings maintain that such actions undermine the protective purpose of a beneficiary’s caveat and prejudice their ability to safeguard their late father’s estate.

In this cat-and-mouse game, the four siblings have endured emotional stress and financial loss, with no end in sight. They say they have been left vulnerable and unprotected. Some, including Dr. Martina Nanteza, fear returning to Uganda due to intimidation, illegal trespass, and growing insecurity on the disputed land.

This is more than a private land dispute; it is a test of Uganda’s justice system. It raises urgent questions about whether power and influence can override due process, leaving rightful owners defenceless. The late Pius Grace Ssesanga devoted his life to teaching integrity and honour. Whether those values still hold weight will be judged by how this case is resolved. Will justice come for the Ssessanga family — or will another Ugandan legacy fall to greed and power?

Hosted by the Government of Malawi and the Lilongwe Water Board, the four-day congress ran under the theme “Green Economy and Climate Resilience in Africa.” With climate pressures mounting and service gaps widening, the forum placed a spotlight on practical solutions that shape a more water-secure future, led, designed, and funded by Africans themselves.

Opening the conference, Malawi’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Sidik Mia, called for urgent and coordinated action. “Africa’s water challenges transcend borders,” she said. “Let this be a Launchpad for African-led action.” She urged delegates to rethink financing approaches, recommending green bonds, public-private partnerships, and climate adaptation funds as tools for closing investment gaps. She also hinted on the importance of women’s leadership in shaping water infrastructure that responds to real community needs.

Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, Chairperson of the STC, announced a calculated rebranding of the council’s identity and focus. Formerly the Scientific and Technical Council, it will now be known as the Strategic and Technological Council, a shift he described as necessary to reflect the evolving demands of the water sector, where integrated leadership, policy influence, and innovation must work hand in hand. “Our continent is fertile with ideas,” Eng. Lutaaya said. “We must now harvest results.”

He challenged delegates to move beyond passive roles and step into the design and delivery of the continent’s water future. “This conference must become a laboratory of breakthrough ideas, not for debate but for real implementation.” Silli Mbewe, Managing Director of the Lilongwe Water Board and Vice President of AfWASA, highlighted Malawi’s commitment to regional water cooperation and knowledge exchange. As he highlighted, Silli Mbewe noted the urgent need for increased engagement from Southern Africa and encouraged more technical professionals to join AfWASA platforms.

His remarks also emphasized the role of youth, gender equity, and innovation in driving institutional transformation. Eng. François Olivier Gosso, Executive Director of AfWASA, offered a sobering reminder of the need to ground ambition in local reality. “Transformation will not come from outside,” he said. “Africa must design, fund, and implement its water future.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Elias Chimulambe, Principal Secretary at Malawi’s Ministry of Water and Sanitation, endorsed Malawi’s readiness to domesticate resolutions from the conference, and pointed to the country’s own development framework and regional climate resilience strategy as entry points for aligning political will with action.

The conference delivered a strong discourse with clear calls to shift from promises to policies, and from policies to progress. From financing and governance to youth entrepreneurship and solar-powered rural schemes, the sessions voiced Africa’s commitment to accelerate service delivery while staying rooted in its own strengths. A more water solution delivery declarations with actionable commitments, reinforced partnerships, an agenda that speaks to the urgency of the moment and the capabilities of the continent were all handled through the conference.

On April 24^th 2025, IGG officials raided Mugaino’s office at the Parliamentary Avenue-premised Ministry of Lands, supposedly to search for evidence related to abuse of office and corruption. The following day, the ombudsman hurriedly directed the equally much-willing PS at the Ministry, Dorcas Okalany, to interdict Mugaino, reportedly to allow for a full investigation into the alleged fraud, cancellation, and unlawful transfer of land titles!

Thereafter, stuff ran at a rocket speed but with little success on the prosecution side, save for Mugaino`s successful legal challenge of his interdiction, the same that was received with sheer contempt by the former. Prosecution instead pushed for the mentioning of Mugaino`s case which, court have since adjourned to September.

However, the entire pursuit, which we have maintained all over our available space here, as a personal and total witch-hunt against Mugaino, is making a slow, and steady U-turn, with all its weight resolved at IGG Beti Kamya. And Kamya`s unstoppable calamities are enveloped in a multiple fraud package onto her son, Arnold Patrick Turwomwe`s name. For starters, Arnold Patrick Turwomwe is the Chairman Divestiture Committee of the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board.

To this end, we can tentatively, yet authoritatively resolve that the aggressive raid at Mugaino`s office wasn’t aimed at getting him on the wrong side of the law! It was rather to cover the supposed fraud tracks on the IGG`s name and that of her son. This stance, by extracting incriminating evidence against her and her son, as the same will subsequently be unfolding in this mighty news website pages.

The Story

 Yesterday at Kasangati Chief Magistrate`s Court, three former KCCA Officials answered to their bail. Hitherto Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, her Deputy David Luyimbazi and the Director of Public Health Dr Daniel Okello were incarcerated mid-October last year, over alleged criminal negligence that resulted into the death of at least 35 people when garbage collapsed on houses at Kiteezi landfill.

Before Her Worship Beatrice Kaiza, the trio faces 57 charges of manslaughter linked to the deaths of over 30 people, who perished upon the Kiteezi calamity. Away from the above flashback, in the wake of the fatal fire, KCCA was left out of the dumping site to their name. Many known fraud-marred searches have been reported home and dry.

However, two pieces of land were separately and distantly spotted for acquisition by KCCA. The first one, is a 100 hectares piece in Mawokota, Mpigi, belonging to the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board. The second is located in a Central Forest Reserve in Buvuma. As the above description clearly suggests, both pieces of land belong to the Government of Uganda.

Behold, the stories you`re about to navigate in these pages are an interesting lot that will take Ugandans on a trip to a country they will get tempted to disown, given the way it is ran by the supposed leaders. And in most, if not all of them, IGG Beti Kamya and family are inseparable with the fraud involved! Watch this space…

In a major boost to Africa’s drive for stronger water utility performance and operational resilience, the Nkana Water and Sanitation Company (NWSC-Zambia) and Uganda’s National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC-Uganda) convened a four-day operations training workshop from June 17th to 20th, 2025.

At the centre of this legal storm is Hajji Muhamadi Kamoga, a controversial property mogul and proprietor of Kamoga Property Consultants, whose name has been mired in a web of land fraud accusations for several years. While his appeal to the Supreme Court aims to halt a retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal, prosecutors argue the process leading to a possible ruling has been fundamentally compromised.

A Hearing in the Absence of Justice!

The ODPP has expressed outrage over the Supreme Court’s decision to proceed with hearing Kamoga’s application on May 29, 2025, a date that coincided with the Annual Prosecutors Symposium (APS) held between May 26th – 29th, and followed by the ODPP team-building day on May 30th. The symposium, an essential annual gathering for prosecutors nationwide, had been formally approved by the Chief Justice himself, effectively halting all criminal prosecution activities during that period.

Despite this suspension, the Supreme Court reportedly proceeded to hear the Criminal Application No. 002 of 2025 ex parte. This stance, without representation from the prosecution or the state attorneys. In a scathing letter dated June 11, 2025, addressed to the Registrar of the Supreme Court and signed by Nabaasa Carolyn Hope, the Principal Assistant DPP, prosecution slammed the court’s action, calling it “anomalous,” “vague,” and “an abuse of court process.” The DPP has since quashed all proceedings and orders issued by the Court on that date, demanding a fresh and procedurally sound hearing of the main appeal.

DPP’s Letter… A Direct Protest

The DPP’s communication to court, now a public document, outlines clear objections to what it perceives as manipulation of the justice process by Kamoga, through his legal counsel of M/S Kasingura-Tindyebwa & Co. Advocates. “Unfortunately, the said miscellaneous application was heard ex parte on the 29th of May, 2025, in the absence of the respondents’ representatives who were attending the Annual Prosecution Symposium (APS) with permission of the Chief Justice,” the letter reads.

The DPP further condemned the appeal and the related application as “frivolous” and “a tactical abuse of the court process,” meant to stall a legitimate retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal. Calling for an urgent and formal hearing of the case, the DPP requested the presiding judge to reopen the matter and grant the State an opportunity to respond before any ruling is delivered. A copy of the protest letter was also addressed to Hon. Justice Monica Mugenyi, Court Administration Justice of the Supreme Court.

Kamoga’s Legal Troubles Run Deep

Beyond the courtroom intrigue, the controversy surrounding Hajji Muhamadi Kamoga runs deeper into Uganda’s longstanding land wrangles. Often accused of being a kingpin in property fraud and land grabbing schemes, Kamoga is linked to a series of criminal allegations including forgery, fraudulently acquiring land titles, unlawful evictions, and malicious damage.

Among the most damning accusations is the alleged forgery of land transfer forms on May 7th 2021, in Wakiso, involving land on Block 435 Plot 8 where, he is said to have forged the signature of one Bibangamba Peter to falsely obtain ownership of multiple plots. Kamoga is also under investigation for the utterance of false documents, which he allegedly submitted to the Registrar of Titles to cement his fraudulent claims.

To this end, the DPP links him to over 105 disputed plots in prime areas such as Bukaya and Garuga, as well as several complaints that have been raised by affected landowners, including Nabyonga Harriet, who accuses Kamoga of maliciously destroying her property and forcefully evicting her from the land she legally owns.

The Growing Public Pressure

The controversial Supreme Court hearing and the perceived special treatment accorded to Kamoga have sparked outrage among sections of the public and civil society watchdogs, who see this as a litmus test for Uganda’s justice system.

“This sends a chilling message to all victims of land fraud,” said one anonymous legal analyst. “If due process can be bypassed at the highest level of court, what hope do ordinary Ugandans have?” Meanwhile, the Office of the DPP has vowed not to back down, insisting that no ruling should be delivered in the matter until their side is fairly heard, as guaranteed under Article 28 of the Constitution on the right to a fair hearing.

And What Next?

With the ball now firmly in the Supreme Court’s ground, all eyes are on how it will respond to their collegue in service, the DPP’s formal protest. Legal experts warn that should the court proceed to deliver a ruling based on the exparte hearing, the legitimacy of its decision could be challenged, possibly leading to a judicial review or even a constitutional petition. Until then, the case of Kamoga Muhamadi vs Uganda remains not just a legal battle, but a litmus test for transparency, accountability, and fairness in Uganda’s criminal justice system.

Mzee Gerald Ssendawula, Uganda’s 82-year-old former Finance Minister and respected elder, was seen trudging through the morning fog, having risen unusually early to beat Kampala’s notorious traffic. Nearby, the wealthy and usually chauffeured Ahmed Omar Mandela, Chairman of the Mandela Group, shocked bystanders when he zipped past on a Boda-boda. And in the same crowd, Omar Mohamed, a respected public official and businessman, was spotted hastily making his way on foot.

Why? Because their own, Baker Mugaino, the Commissioner for Land Registration, was being arraigned for corruption and abuse of office, charges many termed as trumped-up! The case had been sanctioned by none other than the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Olive Namisango Kamya Turomwe aka BONKT, now widely seen as taking a no-holds-barred approach to fighting graft, or advancing other interests, depending on whom you ask.

A Powerful Ally Falls

Mugaino, who had earlier been summoned by the IGG ostensibly to record a statement, was instead ambushed, arrested, and frog-marched to court before the media’s cameras. There, he was charged and remanded to Luzira Prison. The charges? That he arbitrarily cancelled land titles allegedly without due process, for Tropical Bank, Gerald Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel, located in the highly contested and commercially strategic Kisenyi area, particularly Kibuga Block 12, Plots 658, 659, and 665.

While the IGG insists Mugaino abused his office and compromised the land registration process, insiders, and powerful backers, argue the exact opposite. They contend that Mugaino is  targeted because he stood in the way of a high-level land cartel.

“My Daughter Has Disappointed Me”

Courtroom whispers turned heads as observers noticed the gravity of the figures present in support of Mugaino. Most notably, Mzee Ssendawula, who hails from Rakai, a village neighboring IGG Kamya’s ancestral home, was overheard lamenting, “My daughter has disappointed me.” Sources close to the elder confirm that Ssendawula and the late Mzee George Wilson Kamya, Beti Kamya’s father, were close friends, further deepening the sense of betrayal.

Mandela, on the other hand, could not hide his fury. Eyewitnesses claim he was seen shouting into his phone, presumed to be addressing Kamya directly thus; “My son can live without this s**y job of yours. Stop playing around, you woman!” Their outrage stems not just from personal loyalty to Mugaino, but from a deeper belief that his prosecution is politically motivated, or worse, orchestrated to serve private interests masquerading under the guise of justice.

The Kamya Conundrum

For some time now, Kamya has come under quiet scrutiny for allegedly advancing interests far removed from her official duty. Critics point to her continued pursuit of Mugaino, despite clear indications from Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to reverse the Commissioner’s interdiction following a legal review.

But Kamya persisted, citing “fresh charges” and evidence obtained from an earlier raid of Mugaino’s office on April 24, 2025. She accused him of various acts, lifting caveats arbitrarily, creating overlapping land titles, and issuing freehold titles to foreigners. However, legal observers note that most of these claims relate to administrative decisions that, if improper, fall within internal disciplinary measures and not criminal courtrooms. And therein lies the heart of the controversy.

Tale Of A Shady Land Deal Worth UGX370 Billion

At the core of this saga lies a controversial land deal stretching back to January 2023, when Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago blew the whistle on a hitherto planned government purchase of 10 acres in Kisenyi, from city businessman John Bosco Muwonge. The land was to be used to resettle street vendors, with each acre priced at a staggering USD10M, a jaw-dropping UGX37Bn per acre.

Lukwago called the proposal “obscene.” Still, the deal nearly went through until the Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, blocked it over unresolved land wrangles that had arose. Those same wrangles, it turns out, are deeply connected to the land titles Mugaino had initially approved and later cancelled when he discovered the existence of older court-ordered caveats on the same land. The cancellation, however, dashed the hopes of the land cartel that had hoped to revive the Kisenyi mega-deal. Critics now say this cartel may have turned to Kamya to take Mugaino out of the equation.

Connecting the Dots: Who Is Driving Whom?

Though Beti Kamya has not publicly responded to allegations of political or commercial motivation, the convergence of facts paints a damning picture. Mugaino’s legal troubles escalated only after he cancelled titles benefitting Namayiba Park Hotel, Tropical Bank, and Akugizibwe Gerald, all of whom allegedly had links to Muwonge’s contested Kisenyi plots.

Moreover, it’s not lost on observers that Kamya has shown surprising tenacity in pursuing Mugaino, even resisting the Attorney General’s legal guidance and moving to charge him anew, just as the controversy seemed to be cooling. Meanwhile, Mugaino’s defenders argue he acted to protect public interest, fearing the government would be sued for contempt if the illegal titles stood. And now, in what some call a twist of irony, he is being punished for doing exactly what his job required.

What Next?

As June 25, 2025 approaches, the date when Mugaino will be answering to his bail, many eyes remain fixed on this drama that intertwines power, land, politics, and justice. In the corridors of influence, whispers grow louder that the case is not just about a Commissioner gone rogue, but about which Uganda we are building! One ruled by law, or one run by cartels!

One thing is certain though. When a renowned Banker, Farmer and former Finance Minister, a billionaire tycoon, and a high-ranking official, all race to court to associate with, and stand for a man, the matter is far from ordinary. And when even their clout is no match for a determined IGG like Beti Kamya, the nation deserves to ask… who’s really pulling the strings?