By Spy Uganda Investigations Desk
In a dramatic twist that threatens to shake Uganda’s judicial integrity to its core, Hon. Beti Olive Namisango Kamya (BONK), the Inspector General of Government (IGG), has come under intense scrutiny after hastily ordering the interdiction of Commissioner of Land Registration Baker Mugaino — ironically for implementing a Supreme Court ruling, a matter that has been in court since 2009!
THE BIG ISSUE
It is now evident that Commissioner Mugaino was interdicted not for wrongdoing, but simply for doing his job — enforcing a final court order.
Even more shocking is that he was earlier sued by the same parties for refusing to implement the same order.
It’s a classic case of
“damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
THE TIMELINE THAT STINKS
On April 25, 2025, the IGG received a complaint from a party unhappy with the enforcement of a court ruling concerning a land matter that has raged for over 16 years through all judicial levels — from Magistrates Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court.
However, on the same day, just two hours later, without giving Mugaino a hearing as required by law, Kamya issued an interdiction letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, ordering his suspension.
Yet Section 59(3) of the IGG Act clearly directs that upon receiving a complaint, the IGG must summon the accused within seven days and provide an opportunity for a defense.
Fair hearing is a non-derogable right protected under Uganda’s Constitution.
In her rushed letter, Kamya wrote:
“Pending the conclusion of the investigations against him for abuse of office, Mr. Baker Mugaino is hereby interdicted with immediate effect…”
(Extract from Kamya’s interdiction letter dated April 25, 2025)
No hearing. No defense. No due process.
Justice sacrificed on the altar of expediency.
A SUPREME COURT RULING OVERTURNED IN 2 HOURS?
The land matter had been meticulously adjudicated for over 16 years, including by legal heavyweights like former Chief Justices Bart Katureebe and Benjamin Odoki, as well as Justices Tsekooko and Okello.
These Justices heard both sides exhaustively before making a final ruling.
Now, astonishingly, Hon. Kamya has “overturned” their years of work in just two hours — without summoning the accused, without weighing the facts, without any due process.
It sets a new global record: receiving, hearing, and ruling on a 16-year court battle in two hours.
Let’s we forget,just two weeks ago Mugaino summoned Gen Kahinda Otafire, who is one of the interested parties in the matter,and Otafire,after reading all the rulings and court orders and comparing with the existing law, he agreed with Mugaino to cancel the earlier titles into Miriam’s names, yet Otafire at first,he had objected. It took Mugaino ‘s intervention to show proof of the entire issue and read what the law says, it’s at that time that Gen Otafire now opted out and supported Miriam to get her title,which is now at the altar for change again,but this time round,with the assistance of IGG’s office, rather than competent courts.
THE LEGAL IRONY
The complaint lodged with Kamya claimed the court orders being implemented were “fraudulent.”
But under Ugandan law — and basic legal doctrine — even if one believes a court order is “ridiculous” or “fraudulent,” it must still be obeyed untill it’s vacated by a competent court through proper appeal.
Kamya’s action effectively amounts to overruling a Supreme Court judgment without having any judicial authority to do so. As one legal analyst commented:
“Once a court ruling is made, it stands. If you believe it’s wrong, you appeal or apply for review. You don’t disobey it, and certainly not at the direction of an administrative office like the IGG. So interdicting Mugaino for implementing a lawful court order and suggest otherwise is tantamount to contempt of court by Kamya,”
WHO DOES MUGAINO LISTEN TO — COURT OR KAMYA?
Adding to the absurdity, Mugaino has already faced contempt of court proceedings for initially refusing to implement the very court order.
When he finally complied — under pressure from fresh contempt threats — Kamya swooped in to punish him.
So, who should Mugaino obey?
- The Supreme Court of Uganda, or
- Beti Kamya’s IGG Office?
It’s a dangerous precedent: bureaucrats overriding final judicial rulings by administrative fiat.
KAMYA UNDERMINING JUDICIARY?
Critics argue that Kamya’s actions amount to subversion of the judiciary.
By unilaterally suspending an officer for enforcing a Supreme Court ruling, Kamya is signaling that executive offices can second-guess and countermand court decisions at will. This directly violates the principle of separation of powers and independence of the judiciary, two cornerstones of constitutional governance.
In fact, some legal scholars say Kamya’s intervention amounts to contempt of court in itself.
A PATTERN EMERGES
This incident eerily echoes the UNBS saga, where after an official admitted before Parliament of Uganda to bribing board members with UGX 100 million to keep his job, the IGG found “no sufficient evidence” to prosecute.
Yet in Mugaino’s case, where no bribe or personal wrongdoing was proven, the IGG acted immediately and harshly — without even hearing the man out.
We think that we now need to find out what’s the motivation behind such actions? Is there a price tag?
WHERE IS THE LUWERO SPIRIT?
If President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government still held fast to the original Luwero Agenda of fairness, rule of law, and fighting impunity, this latest outrage would have been met with immediate corrective action:
- Mugaino should be reinstated without delay.
- Kamya should face investigation for abuse of power.
Otherwise,tukubire Kamya obugalo, she has successfully managed to arm-twist Uganda’s judicial system in just two hours — something even the legendary Mafia operatives would envy! This is the proverbial cow at the fireplace,which, when you keep your hopes that it’s lighting the fire to your satisfaction, it finally dons unto you that infact,…..the cow has been putting out fire 🔥,as opposed to lighting🤣🤣👋👋🙏🙏🤣
