A senior land officer in Masaka has been arrested over allegations of issuing more than 265 illegal land titles, including titles allegedly created on Central Forest Reserve and private land.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, working with Uganda Police in Masaka, arrested Zziwa Colbert Tamale, the Senior Land Officer at the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office.
Investigators accuse Zziwa of being involved in several land fraud cases, including allegedly colluding with other land officials and individuals involved in land grabbing.
Among the cases under investigation is land belonging to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in Kyanamukaaka, Masaka.
According to investigators, Zziwa and others allegedly created a fraudulent title after Ssekandi’s 83-acre property was reduced to 34 acres, before the land was further subdivided into several plots.
The officer is also accused of allegedly collecting money from hundreds of residents in Sembabule while claiming he could help them obtain free government land titles.
Authorities say the alleged payments were made despite the Ministry of Lands providing free titles to selected residents, particularly those facing eviction threats linked to land disputes.
Zziwa is expected to be taken to court once investigations are completed. Possible charges include abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery.
The Anti-Corruption Unit has called on residents of Greater Masaka with complaints against the officer to report to Masaka Police Station or call 0800202500.
The arrest comes as authorities continue investigating alleged land fraud in the region, with residents who may have been affected being encouraged to come forward.
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