Former Defence Minister Vincent Ssempijja has been accused of illegally selling government land, including the land hosting a community primary school that he reportedly helped establish while serving as Masaka District LCV Chairperson.
The allegations were raised during a public accountability meeting, commonly known as a baraza, held at Bakibonga in Bukakata Sub-county, Masaka District. The meeting was organised by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, as part of his nationwide anti-corruption campaign dubbed Expose the Corrupt.
During the meeting, a resident, Charles Sekatawa, alleged that Green Valley Primary School in Kasanje is under threat of demolition after the land on which it sits was allegedly sold to a prominent businessman.
Sekatawa said the school is the only primary school serving many children in the area and has played a significant role in improving access to education for the local community.
He further claimed that Ssempijja personally oversaw the construction of the school in 1997 during his tenure as Masaka District LCV Chairperson, making the alleged sale particularly shocking to residents.
“We cannot understand how the same person who helped establish this school is now being accused of selling the land on which it stands,” Sekatawa said.
In response to the complaints, Barugahara directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the allegations, insisting that no public official should be allowed to dispose of community property with impunity.
He said government-funded institutions such as schools must be protected from illegal land transactions and warned that anyone found culpable would face the law.
“No one is above the law. It is unacceptable for anyone to sell property built using taxpayers’ money. Investigators should establish how this transaction was carried out,” Barugahara said.
The minister added that if investigations reveal that the transaction was approved through fraudulent resolutions or minutes of the District Land Board, all officials involved would be held personally accountable.
Masaka District Chairperson John Kakande also raised concerns over what he described as widespread illegal disposal of government property by influential individuals.
Kakande alleged that proceeds from the sale of public land have benefited only a handful of individuals instead of supporting public services and development projects.
He claimed that politically connected individuals have taken advantage of their influence to dispose of government assets without being challenged.
Among the disputed properties, Kakande cited a four-hectare piece of land in Senyange Cell, Masaka City, where eucalyptus trees were allegedly cut down and sold to unknown buyers. He also referred to two government houses in Masaka and land belonging to the Kijjabwemi Rehabilitation Centre, which he alleged had been earmarked for sale.
Kakande warned that continued loss of public assets through illegal land sales risks undermining public confidence in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Ssempijja had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication. The investigations ordered by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit are expected to establish whether any laws were broken and determine who should be held responsible.
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