Lands commissioner Mugaino charged with corruption
Baker Mugaino is accused of irregularly cancelling certificates of title that his office had issued to Tropical Bank, Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel.
Commissioner Land Registration, Baker Mugaino. (File/Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
By Michael Odeng and Annabel Oyera
Journalists @New Vision
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Commissioner Land Registration, Baker Mugaino, has been charged with abuse of office and corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze today, (June 4, 2025) remanded Mugaino to Luzira Prison after he denied the charges.
The offence of corruption attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction, while abuse of office elicits a seven-year jail term.
Inspectorate of Government’s head of prosecution, Brenda Kimbugwe, informed the court that investigations into the matter are almost complete.
“My lord, I pray that you adjourn the matter to another date to allow our officers to complete investigations in the matter,” she requested. This prompted the court to adjourn the case to tomorrow (Thursday) for the accused’s bail application hearing.
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 that 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 Land Registration, in April this year, when handling a complaint about the land in question.