By Spy Uganda
A senior lands officer in Masaka has been arrested over allegations of illegally issuing land titles and colluding with land officials and suspected land grabbers in Greater Masaka.
Zziwa Colbert Tamale, a Senior Land Officer at the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office, was arrested on Wednesday evening in a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and Uganda Police.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, Zziwa is facing several allegations linked to land fraud, including the alleged issuance of more than 265 illegal land titles on Central Forest Reserve land and private property in Greater Masaka.
Investigators also allege that the officer worked with other land officials to facilitate questionable land transactions and the creation of fraudulent titles.
Among the cases under investigation is land belonging to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in Kyanamukaaka, Masaka.
The Anti-Corruption Unit alleges that Ssekandi’s land, originally measuring about 83 acres, was fraudulently reduced to 34 acres before a title was allegedly created and the land subsequently partitioned into several plots.
Zziwa is also accused of allegedly extorting money from hundreds of residents in Sembabule by claiming that he could facilitate the acquisition of free land titles.
The allegations come despite an ongoing government programme under which the Ministry of Lands provides free titles to selected beneficiaries, particularly residents facing threats of eviction arising from land disputes.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations into the allegations are ongoing and Zziwa is expected to be taken to court once the investigations are complete.
Possible charges include abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery.
Authorities have also appealed to residents of Greater Masaka who may have complaints or information concerning Zziwa’s alleged activities to come forward and report to Masaka Police Station or through the toll-free number 0800202500.
The arrest forms part of ongoing government efforts to tackle corruption and fraud within the land administration system, an area that has faced persistent complaints over illegal titling, land grabbing and manipulation of ownership records.
Zziwa remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court.
