MASAKA — The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Uganda Police Force, has arrested a senior lands officer in Masaka over allegations of illegal land titling, fraud and abuse of office.
Zziwa Colbert Tamale, the Senior Land Officer at the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office, was arrested on Wednesday evening as investigations into alleged irregularities in land transactions across Greater Masaka continue.
According to the investigators, Zziwa is accused of involvement in the issuance of more than 265 allegedly illegal land titles covering Central Forest Reserve land, privately owned property and other disputed parcels.
He is also accused of working with other land officials to facilitate fraudulent land transactions and allegedly assist land grabbers to acquire property through irregular processes.
One of the cases under investigation involves land belonging to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in Kyanamukaaka, Masaka District.
Investigators allege that Zziwa and his alleged accomplices fraudulently altered records relating to the property, reducing the landholding from 83 acres to 34 acres before creating a new title and subdividing the land into several plots.
The officer is also accused of allegedly extorting money from hundreds of residents in Sembabule District by claiming that he could facilitate the acquisition of free land titles.
Investigators say this was done despite an existing government programme through which the Ministry of Lands provides free titles to selected beneficiaries, particularly people facing eviction or involved in land disputes.
Authorities are continuing to collect evidence and record statements from individuals who may have information about the alleged transactions.
Zziwa is expected to be taken to court once investigations are completed. The possible charges include abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery.
The Anti-Corruption Unit has urged residents of Greater Masaka who may have complaints or information concerning Zziwa’s alleged activities to report to Masaka Police Station or contact the toll-free line 0800 202 500.
The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies to investigate alleged fraud and abuse of office in the administration and management of land.
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