Nakasongola, Uganda — Five members of a local land allocation committee in Nakasongola District have been arraigned in court on multiple charges linked to the illegal allocation of land in a protected forest reserve.
The suspects—Kasibante Robert, Kawa Robert, Musisi Julius, Gawera Ronald and Semata Vicent—were charged with conspiracy to defraud, assault causing grievous harm, malicious damage to property, and unlawful confinement, according to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
In a statement, the unit said it worked jointly with the Uganda Police Force in Nakasongola and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to bring the suspects before court. Other suspects linked to the case are reportedly still at large.
Authorities allege that the accused, as members of the land allocation committee, illegally subdivided and distributed land within Kyarubanga Forest Reserve before it had been officially degazetted, in direct violation of a presidential directive.
“The accused persons are alleged to have forcefully taken possession of land occupied by sitting tenants and allocated it to themselves and other individuals, including non-residents of Nakasongola District,” the Anti-Corruption Unit said.
The alleged actions reportedly triggered violent disputes in the area, with cases of assault and destruction of property.
Investigators further claim that some committee members obtained money from members of the public under the pretext of allocating them land, but in several instances failed to deliver on the promise.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said its intervention followed a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities in the committee’s operations.
The accused have been remanded until April 14, 2026, as investigations continue. Authorities say more arrests are likely as the probe progresses.
