A suspected notorious land grabber in Masaka District, Zulaika Nakabiri, has been charged before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations of land grabbing, assault, criminal trespass, and destruction of property.
Nakabiri was jointly charged with Bugembe Edrisa, Dumba Abdu Swaburu, and Makumbi Abbey following investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) at State House, working together with the Uganda Police Force and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to the ACU, the accused persons allegedly terrorised residents in different parts of Masaka by unlawfully occupying land, assaulting victims, trespassing on private property, and destroying crops, trees, houses, and other valuables.
The four suspects were presented before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court and remanded until August 13, 2026, as investigations continue.
In a separate case, Misaala Cell LC I Chairperson Ntale Godfrey and Juuko John have also been charged and remanded over allegations of theft and conspiracy to defraud members of the public.
The two are accused of misleading residents by claiming they could help them access funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The prosecution alleges that one of the victims, Ntuumwa Elvis, approached the suspects for assistance in applying for PDM funds. Juuko reportedly completed the application process in the presence of Ntale and instructed Ntuumwa to register a new SIM card.
After obtaining the mobile money PIN linked to the SIM card, the suspects allegedly took possession of it and later withdrew Shs1 million that had been disbursed to the victim.
Ntuumwa reportedly raised the matter after discovering that he had not received the funds and failed to obtain an explanation from the two suspects. He later reported the incident during the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” Baraza held in Masaka.
Ntale and Juuko were also remanded until August 13, 2026.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the cases originated from complaints raised by residents during the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign led by Minister of Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara in Masaka, which seeks to identify and address corruption-related grievances at community level.
