Corruption: Lands commissioner Mugaino granted bail

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Commissioner Land Registration Baker Mugaino, who is battling charges of abuse of office and corruption, has been released on bail.

The Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze today (June 5, 2025) released Mugaino on cash bail of sh3m after finding his sureties substantial.

The sureties were directed to execute a non-cash bond of sh50m. They are Hussein Ahmed Omar (businessman operating Mandela Millers and City Oil), Mohammed Omar (Assistant Commissioner in the Directorate of Legal Advisory Services, Ministry of Justice) and Thomas Kategere (works under the presidential office).

“The sureties are substantial because they are public servants and a businessman, who are capable of influencing and compelling the applicant to attend court. They also presented original identity cards and other documents in their original form,” Nakyazze ruled.

The magistrate said the prosecution has not adduced evidence showing that Mugaino will interfere with the witnesses.

Baker Mugaino, the Commissioner Land Registration, standing in the dock at the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, Kampala. He is accused of abuse of office and corruption. (Photo by Michael Odeng)

“The affidavit merely presupposed a likelihood of interference with key witnesses. It has not shown that the accused has interfered with any of the witnesses,” she noted.

The affidavit was sworn by Kenneth Owor, a supervisor in the Directorate of Special Investigations under the Inspectorate of Government.

Nakyazze observed that the nature of the offence mostly relied on documentary evidence, which was in the possession of the Inspectorate of Government by the time Mugaino was slapped with the charges.

Although prosecution stated that it was difficult to access the applicant, the magistrate observed that it failed to indicate in its affidavit that the accused had been arrested or presented in court.

The accused person is being represented by Usaama Sebuufu from K&K Advocates and Anthony Bazira, a managing partner at Byenkya Kihika & Co Advocates. The Inspectorate of Government is being represented by Brenda Kimbugwe and William Moses Ntumwa.

The case has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, for mention.



Allegations

Prosecution alleges that between April 8 and 20 this year, Mugaino, while employed in the public service as Commissioner of Land Registration, Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development in Kampala, abused his authority by arbitrarily performing acts prejudicial to his employer’s interests - the Government of Uganda, Tropical Bank Limited, Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel.

He is accused of irregularly cancelling certificates of title his office had issued to Tropical Bank, Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel.

The prosecution also alleges that Mugaino neglected his duties as stipulated in section 88 of the Land Act and his schedule of duties as Commissioner of Land Registration, in April this year, when handling a complaint about the land in question.

Interdiction revised

In April 2025, Mugaino was interdicted from his position by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, over allegations of cancellation of people’s genuine titles to allow her office to investigate the matter when he is out of office.

However, the land boss is contesting the interdiction at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala. He sued the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya and the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

Subsequently, Justice Collins Acellam issued an administrative order, restraining the IGG and the Attorney General from implementing the directive, pending determination of the case before the court.

Following the ruling, the Attorney General, in a letter dated May 16, 2024, advised the permanent secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, to recall the said interdiction and seek further guidance from President Yoweri Museveni.

“The interdiction of Mugaino vide letter dated April 28, 2025, pursuant to the constitutional provisions is void,” Kiryowa stated after citing several constitutional provisions of the law.