Masaka Lands Officer Arrested Amidst Allegations of Illegal Titling and Fraud

A senior land officer operating in Masaka has been arrested following a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Uganda Police. Colbert Zziwa Tamale, serving as the Senior Land Officer at the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office, was taken into custody on Wednesday.

The arrest stems from an investigation into numerous complaints regarding irregular land dealings in the Greater Masaka region.

Zziwa is accused of involvement in the issuance of over 265 land titles that are suspected to be illegal. These titles allegedly pertain to land within Central Forest Reserves and private properties across the area. Investigators also suggest that Zziwa collaborated with other land officials to facilitate fraudulent property transactions and the irregular acquisition of land titles.

Among the cases being examined is a land dispute involving former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi. Reports indicate that Ssekandi’s property in Kyanamukaaka, originally measuring 83 acres, was allegedly reduced to 34 acres before Zziwa and others purportedly created a fraudulent title, subsequently subdividing the land.

Furthermore, Zziwa is implicated in a scheme where residents in Sembabule were allegedly pressured to pay fees for processing land titles. This occurred despite the Ministry of Lands offering free titles to vulnerable residents, particularly those facing eviction.

The Anti-Corruption Unit is appealing to the public in Greater Masaka for any information related to Zziwa’s alleged misconduct. The unit stated that Zziwa will face court proceedings once investigations conclude, with potential charges including abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of titles, conspiracy, and forgery.

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/363240/colbert-zziwa-masaka-lands-officer-arrested-over-illegal-titling