Okwir Joel a businessman and former chairperson of the area land committee in Railway Division has been arraigned before the Lira Chief Magistrate Court today on charges of Attempted Felony, Uttering False Documents and Making False Documents.
The Anti-Corruption Unit of State House Uganda in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) spearheaded the investigation that exposed Okwir’s alleged fraudulent acquisition of a leasehold certificate for a forest reserve in Railways Quarters A village, Lira Municipality.
According to investigators, Okwir abused his authority in September 2021 by falsely claiming customary ownership of the land despite it being officially designated as part of a protected forest reserve under the urban development plan of Lira Municipal Council.
He allegedly submitted falsified land application forms to the Lira Ministry Zonal Office (MZO) in an attempt to manipulate the system in his favor.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence presented in court was a forged minute extract from a purported physical planning committee meeting which falsely indicated that his application had been approved under minute LMC PPC 083/12/2020.
The alleged meeting dated December 20, 2019, was later proven to have never taken place exposing a web of deceit aimed at illegally acquiring public land for private gain.
Land fraud has been a persistent issue in Uganda with corrupt officials and influential individuals exploiting loopholes to grab protected lands.
This case however, underscores the government’s growing efforts to clamp down on fraudulent land transactions and hold those responsible accountable.
The court proceedings are expected to send a strong message against land grabbing and corruption in public office.
When proved guilty, Okwir will face serious legal repercussions reinforcing the importance of transparency and integrity in Uganda’s land management system.
