Kampala, Uganda — The Inspectorate of Government has commenced the valuation of 17 properties recovered from corrupt public officials, in a move aimed at facilitating their disposal and recovery of stolen public funds.
The exercise, being conducted by the Chief Government Valuer, follows a series of investigations and asset tracing operations that led to the forfeiture of the properties to the state.
During a site visit to one of the properties in Kitende along Entebbe Road in Wakiso District, Inspector General of Government Aisha Batala Naluze said the initiative demonstrates the agency’s continued commitment to fighting corruption.
“We shall continue tracing more properties so as to recover stolen public funds,” she said, commending investigators for their work in uncovering illicit wealth.
The Kitende property, which consists of ten apartments, was surrendered by a former official of the Uganda National Roads Authority after investigations revealed he had underdeclared his assets by Shs1.6 billion. The property currently generates about Shs7 million in monthly rent, which is remitted to the IGG Asset Recovery Account held at the central bank.
Officials said the recovered assets are part of a broader strategy focused on financial profiling and asset tracing to dismantle corruption networks and reclaim public resources.
Valuation to Be Completed Within One Month
The Chief Government Valuer, Gilbert Kermundu, has assured the public that the valuation process will be completed within one month.
“I can assure you that we have a formidable team at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development who are highly skilled in valuation,” Kermundu said during a second site visit in Bukoto. “We have a client charter that stipulates how much time we ought to take to complete an assignment, and I can assure you that this activity shouldn’t take us more than one month.”
One of the properties under valuation in Bukoto previously belonged to Geoffrey Kazinda, a former principal accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister who was convicted in 2020 for illicit enrichment. Court findings showed that Kazinda possessed wealth worth over Shs4 billion that was not consistent with his known sources of income, leading to the forfeiture of his assets to government.
The 17 properties currently under review include five developed properties that are already generating rental income, and 12 undeveloped plots. They are being managed by private real estate firm Knight Frank on behalf of the Inspectorate of Government.
The IGG said the recovery and planned disposal of the assets sends a strong signal that corruption will not pay.
“The recovery of these properties is evidence of our ability to successfully investigate high-profile corruption cases and gives assurance to the public that the fight against corruption is not lost,” the agency noted.
Authorities say proceeds from the eventual sale of the properties will be returned to the public purse, reinforcing accountability and strengthening confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
