By Spy Uganda
Two former and serving local government officials have been charged in separate land-related cases involving alleged abuse of office, forgery and the irregular acquisition of public land.
The cases were brought before courts by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Investigations Directorate, as authorities intensify scrutiny of land transactions in local governments.
Kurobe Samuel, the Acting Town Clerk of Luwa Town Council in Namisindwa District, has been charged with abuse of office before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court.
Kurobe was arraigned on Thursday and remanded until August 13, 2026.
According to investigators, Luwa Town Council received Sh150 million to facilitate the purchase of land and construction of administrative offices.
It is alleged that Sh40 million was subsequently reported as having been spent on land in Kungu Cell, Bunambobi Ward, Luwa Town Council.
However, investigators reportedly found that the land was actually purchased for Sh12 million.
The prosecution alleges that the transaction was also conducted without following the required procurement procedures and without an official valuation of the property.
Investigators further allege that a forged sale agreement was later prepared showing that the land had been purchased for Sh40 million, despite the actual purchase price allegedly being Sh12 million.
Kurobe, who is employed by Namisindwa District Local Government as a Senior Assistant Secretary and was assigned duties as Acting Town Clerk, is accused of abusing his office in connection with the transaction.
The case comes amid intensified investigations into alleged misuse of public funds and abuse of office in local governments.
In a separate case, Ameny Thomas Max, a former member of the Lira District Land Board and former district speaker, has also been charged over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of government land.
Ameny was arraigned at the Grade One Magistrates Court in Lira District on charges of fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title and forgery.
He was remanded until August 13, 2026.
According to investigators, between 2019 and 2020, Ameny and other suspects who remain at large allegedly forged a land application form seeking conversion of customary tenure to freehold tenure.
The prosecution alleges that the application falsely identified Edwe Dorcus Rita, his wife, as the customary owner of part of government land located at Ireda Estate in Lira.
Investigators further allege that the process resulted in Edwe being registered as the proprietor of a freehold certificate of title for Plot 2, Abosolom Oteng Road, Ireda Estate.
Ameny is accused of using his position as a District Land Board member to facilitate the alleged transaction.
The two cases form part of the government’s wider campaign against corruption and abuse of public office, including the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign spearheaded by Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara.
The campaign has focused on alleged corruption, misuse of public resources and poor service delivery in local governments, with authorities encouraging residents to report suspected wrongdoing.
The suspects remain innocent unless and until proven guilty by the courts.
