By Spy Uganda
The Commissioner for Land Registration, Baker Mugaino, has been arrested and is currently being held at the Inspectorate of Government’s Directorate of Special Investigations. According to sources within the Inspectorate, Mugaino is expected to appear in court later this afternoon to face charges that remain under seal pending his arraignment.
This dramatic development follows a recent interdiction order issued by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, who directed that Mugaino steps aside from his official duties to allow for an unimpeded investigation into serious allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Background on the IGG’s Interdiction Order
As revealed in the letter signed by the Deputy IGG, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Inspectorate of Government made the decision to interdict Mugaino on the basis of ongoing investigations into alleged acts of misconduct. The directive, which was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, cited concerns that Mugaino’s continued presence in office could interfere with the investigations.
According to the interdiction letter released in April 2025, the Inspectorate had received multiple complaints against Mugaino involving irregular land transactions, abuse of authority in the issuance of land titles, among others.
In compliance with the Leadership Code Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, the IGG exercised its constitutional mandate to remove Mugaino from his position temporarily while gathering further evidence and preparing for possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, several government officials from the Ministry of Lands have also been summoned or interviewed by investigators, suggesting a wider probe into a possible syndicate involving fraudulent land transactions.
Mugaino, who has served as Commissioner for Land Registration since 2021, has denied all allegations in previous statements, claiming that he is being targeted by individuals resisting reform in the land sector.
Those close to Mugaino,told our sources that Mugaino maintains that innocent and being persecuted for trying to implement court orders. “There’s a court order first of all on this very Interdiction,IGG is going ahead to implement an exercise for which a court order was secured,” added a source.
What Happens Next?
Mugaino’s court appearance this afternoon is expected to shed light on the specific charges being brought against him. The Inspectorate has yet to officially release the full details of the case, but sources familiar with the investigations suggest that he may face counts related to abuse of office.
