IGG Orders Suspension of Uganda Land Commissioner Over Fraud Allegations
Kampala, Uganda – The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has directed the suspension of Mr. Baker Mugaino, Commissioner for Land Registration, following serious allegations of land title fraud.
Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, the IGG, issued the directive to the Ministry of Lands’ Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Dorcas Okalany, urging immediate interdiction to facilitate investigations.
The action follows an April 24 operation at Mugaino’s office, where key documents were seized after the Inspectorate received multiple complaints linking him to fraudulent activities.
According to official statements, Mugaino faces accusations of:
- Canceling genuine Certificates of Title and replacing them with fake Special Certificates
- Lifting caveats arbitrarily
- Issuing multiple titles for the same land
- Illegally awarding freehold titles to foreigners
- Converting Mailo and leasehold titles to freehold without following legal processes
- Disregarding court rulings and neglecting mandatory public hearings
The IGG cited constitutional provisions and the Inspectorate of Government Act as the legal foundation for the suspension, stressing the need for ethical conduct among government officials. Okalany is expected to report on the interdiction’s implementation within seven days.
Land Fraud Crisis in Uganda
Land fraud continues to plague Uganda, with land-related corruption making up roughly 34% of all complaints reported to the IGG in 2021. According to Transparency International Uganda’s 2023 report, 28% of landowners have faced fraud, including title forgeries, illegal evictions, and fraudulent transfers.
While the government has tried to curb the problem through digitization of land records, enforcement remains inconsistent. Corruption within parts of the Ministry of Lands continues to undermine reform efforts, exacerbating disputes and affecting investor confidence.
The IGG emphasized that Mugaino’s case signals a broader commitment to tackling land fraud and warned that similar action would follow against other public officers implicated in malpractice.
Given the central role land ownership plays in Ugandan society, the outcome of this investigation is expected to draw significant public and political interest.
