local government 18 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Mbarara CAO Under Investigation for Disputed District Land Allocations

Mbarara District's Chief Administrative Officer, David Muhwezi, is facing a police probe over allegations of improperly allocating district land to several government and private entities. The District Public Accounts Committee has raised concerns about the legality and procedures followed in these land deals. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mbarara-cao-faces-probe-over-disputed-district-land-allocations-5501654

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mbarara District, David Muhwezi, is currently under investigation by the police concerning the alleged irregular allocation of district land. The District Public Accounts Committee (DPAC) has formally requested the police to investigate Mr. Muhwezi following concerns raised about land deals executed during the 2024/25 financial year.

DPAC chairperson Herbert Kamugisha stated that the committee’s findings are based on internal audit queries, which flagged irregularities in how district land was distributed to nine different institutions. These beneficiaries reportedly include entities such as the Uganda Management Institute, Makerere University Business School, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Mbarara Regional Analytical Laboratory, among others.

Mr. Kamugisha emphasized that local governments do not possess the authority to allocate public land; this power rests with the Uganda Land Commission and Parliament. The committee expressed difficulty in locating documentation that could verify the processing and approval of these land allocations, leading to their resolution to involve the police.

In his defense before the committee, Mr. Muhwezi asserted that the allocations were made in response to formal requests from the institutions and with the guidance of the Uganda Lands Commission. He maintained that he followed the correct procedures. However, the committee remained unconvinced by his explanation and directed him to provide a formal statement to the police.

Rwizi Region Police spokesperson Samson Kasasira confirmed that the police have received the matter and are assisting with the ongoing investigations. The DPAC has also called for a comprehensive valuation report for all government land situated on Kamukuzi Hill in Mbarara City, citing concerns that some parcels may have been leased at significantly below market rates.

The investigation aims to determine whether the land allocations adhered to public land management laws and to ascertain if any public assets were improperly divested. This situation highlights potential issues of transparency and accountability in the management of district land resources.