UGANDA, Masaka | Real Muloodi News | On June 14, 2024, businessman Dungu Henry Matovu, Masaka MZO ICT Officer Kireri John, and land surveyor Onyango Patrick were arraigned before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court by the Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with CID, and ODPP
The charges against them include 24 counts of forgery, uttering false documents, and fraudulent procurement of a land title.
The accused individuals allegedly forged a land title and imposed it on the existing title of Kulsum Patel, which comprised 267 acres in Lwengo District.
Following this, they allegedly subdivided and sold the land, using force to evict Patel from her property. The accused have been remanded until June 18, 2024.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, in conjunction with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), brought the charges against the trio.
An official from the Anti-Corruption Unit stated, “Forgery and fraudulent land transactions undermine the integrity of property rights and the justice system.”
Masaka MZO ICT Officer Kireri John and land surveyor Onyango Patrick are alleged to have facilitated the forgery and transactions through their access to official documents and technical expertise.
Their involvement allegedly enabled the execution of the fraudulent scheme.
In court, the defence argued for bail, highlighting the need for the accused to prepare their defence.
However, the prosecution emphasised the seriousness of the charges and the risk of the accused interfering with witnesses or evidence. The court decided to remand the accused until the next hearing date.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with stakeholders calling for stringent measures against land fraud. The Uganda Law Society commented on the broader implications of such cases, noting, “Land fraud not only affects individual victims but also erodes public trust in the legal and property systems.”
Residents have expressed outrage over the alleged forced eviction of Patel.
A community leader stated, “It is unacceptable for individuals to use illegal means to dispossess rightful landowners. We expect the authorities to take firm action against such practices.”
Patel was forcibly removed from her property by individuals allegedly hired by the accused. The land, after being subdivided, was sold to multiple buyers.
The prosecution’s case is built on the evidence that the title used to sell the land was forged.
The case will continue on June 18, 2024, with the court expected to hear further evidence and arguments from both the prosecution and defence. The outcome is anticipated to set a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.
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