MASAKA — A senior lands official in Masaka has been arrested over allegations of abuse of office, fraudulent land titling and collusion with suspected land grabbers in the Greater Masaka area.
Colbert Zziwa Tamale, a Senior Land Officer attached to the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office, was arrested on Wednesday evening by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Uganda Police.
The arrest follows investigations into a number of complaints concerning alleged irregular land transactions in Masaka and neighbouring districts.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, investigators have linked Mr Zziwa to the alleged issuance of more than 265 illegal land titles involving portions of Central Forest Reserves and privately owned land in the Greater Masaka area.
The authorities allege that the lands officer worked with other officials to facilitate irregular transactions, resulting in the acquisition and subdivision of land through allegedly fraudulent processes.
Among the cases being investigated is a land dispute involving former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in Kyanamukaaka, Masaka.
Investigators allege that the property, which originally covered about 83 acres, was irregularly reduced to approximately 34 acres before a title was allegedly fraudulently created.
The property was subsequently subdivided into several plots, according to the investigators.
The case forms part of a wider inquiry into alleged manipulation of land records and the issuance of titles on property claimed by private individuals.
Mr Zziwa is also being investigated over allegations that hundreds of residents in Sembabule were asked to pay money purportedly to facilitate the processing of land titles.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the alleged payments were collected even though the Ministry of Lands had been issuing free titles to selected beneficiaries, particularly residents facing eviction threats arising from land disputes.
The authorities are now calling on residents of Greater Masaka who may have information or complaints relating to Mr Zziwa’s alleged activities to come forward and assist investigators.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said Mr Zziwa will be produced before court after investigations are completed.
Depending on the outcome of the investigations, he could face charges including abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery.
The authorities have not indicated when the investigations will be concluded, but said the process is ongoing.
The arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of land administration, particularly allegations involving the fraudulent acquisition of titles, manipulation of land records and collusion between some officials and individuals seeking to acquire disputed property.
The Anti-Corruption Unit has urged members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with investigators as the inquiry continues.