The committee reportedly resolved that further investigations be conducted into the circumstances under which the land was allocated, citing concerns about adherence to established procedures and the need to safeguard public property.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mbarara District, David Muhwezi, has been arrested over allegations of irregular allocation and management of district land, sparking renewed concerns about accountability in the management of public assets.
Muhwezi’s arrest follows recommendations by the District Public Accounts Committee (DPAC), which has been investigating the allocation of several parcels of land belonging to the Mbarara District Local Government.
According to information obtained from district authorities, the committee raised concerns over the allocation of district land to various institutions and entities. Among the contested allocations are approximately 0.427 hectares allocated to Uganda Management Institute (UMI), 0.626 hectares allocated to Makerere University Business School (MUBS), 1.4221 hectares allocated to Megger Technical Services, and 0.524 hectares allocated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The committee reportedly resolved that further investigations be conducted into the circumstances under which the land was allocated, citing concerns about adherence to established procedures and the need to safeguard public property.
Sources close to the investigations said law enforcement officers moved to arrest Muhwezi as inquiries into the transactions intensified. By press time, authorities had not disclosed the specific charges the district official may face.
The arrest has attracted widespread attention among residents, political leaders, and civil society actors, many of whom have called for transparency and accountability in the management of public land.
Public land remains a critical resource for supporting service delivery, infrastructure development, and community projects. Any irregularities in its allocation could have significant implications for the district’s development agenda and the interests of local residents.
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Officials from the agencies handling the investigations had not issued a comprehensive statement by the time of publication. However, sources indicated that the probe is ongoing and may extend to other district officials and stakeholders linked to the disputed land transactions.
The developments come amid growing scrutiny of public land management across local governments, with anti-corruption agencies increasingly focusing on the protection of public assets.
As investigations continue, residents and leaders in Mbarara District are awaiting further details regarding the allegations, the legal process, and the outcome of the ongoing inquiries.