The allegations came to light during the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign in Ssembabule.
The Senior Land Management Officer of Ssembabule District, Kananura Emmanuel Champion, has been charged with embezzlement, abuse of office, corruption and obtaining money by false pretence over allegations involving nearly sh1 billion collected from residents seeking government land titles.
Kananura was on Wednesday arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Investigations Directorate.
He was remanded to prison until August 17, 2026, when he is expected to return to court.
According to the investigators, Kananura allegedly used his position as Senior Land Management Officer to collect between sh1.5m and sh6m from several applicants between August 2024 and August 2026.
The total amount allegedly collected from the applicants is estimated at nearly sh1 billion.
The prosecution alleges that Kananura falsely represented the payments as a lawful requirement for people seeking government land titles under the Land Management Institution Strengthening Grant, despite allegedly knowing that beneficiaries were not required to pay the money.
The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Project, followed a presidential directive aimed at helping beneficiaries acquire land titles at a lower cost.
The allegations came to light during the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign in Ssembabule.
During the campaign, several residents reportedly complained that they had paid money to Kananura and other officials to process their land titles but had not received the documents as promised.
“I Helped You Out of Stinking Poverty, Stop Abusing Me!” Amelia Kyambadde Warns Dr. Hilderman
The complaints prompted investigations by the anti-corruption agencies, leading to Kananura’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations into the alleged fraud are still ongoing, with more officials expected to be arrested and charged in connection with the scheme.
The case comes amid increased scrutiny of land management offices over allegations of corruption and the illegal collection of money from members of the public seeking land-related services.
Kananura is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
