Museveni orders reinstatement of interdicted Land Commissioner Mugaino

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the lands minister Judith Nabakooba to immediately reinstate Commissioner Land Registration Baker Mugaino back to his office following his interdiction.

In a stern directive to Nabakooba, Museveni questions why Mugaino, a presidential appointee, was interdicted without his knowledge. In his letter, dated May 24, 2025, President Museveni expresses deep displeasure over the state of land administration, noting that it has already cost the Government over $140 million (about shillings 489 billion).

Lands minister Judith Nabakooba. (File)

“I am concerned about the persistent inefficiencies, fraud and mismanagement, particularly the Land Information System, which has cost the Government over $140m, yet double titling, tax evasion, and fraudulent transactions are still pervasive,” Museveni stated.

Museveni reveals that the lands ministry bears responsibility for these shortcomings, which undermine Uganda’s progress, social stability and economic goals.

“In my earlier directive to you and the Permanent Secretary, copied to the Commissioner Land Registration, I directed that the digitisation process be completed to mitigate these failures through the use of blockchain technology. I understand the Commissioner Land Registration has been trying to implement the same as per my guidance, albeit with frustrations from self-seekers,” Museveni added.

“I have now been informed that the commissioner Land Registration, who is implementing this solution, has been removed from office on unspecified grounds, apparently acting on the directives of the Inspectorate General of Government, Beti Kamya Turwomwe. How convenient! Do you have the authority to interdict such an officer (a presidential appointee) without my involvement? Why was I not consulted prior to this action being taken? Museveni wondered.

“This is therefore, to direct that you immediately lift that interdiction and address the fraud and inefficiency in the Ministry as I directed to you. If there are matters for investigation requiring removal of Mugaino, these must be raised by the investigating entity with me as the appointing authority,” Museveni states in his letter copied to IGG, the Attorney General, the Minister of Public Service, and lands state minister.

Mugaino's arrest

Mugaino was arrested by officers from the office of the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, and arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court, where he was charged with corruption and abuse of office. He pleaded not guilty before Chief Magistrate Rachael Nakyaze and was remanded to Luzira Prison before being granted bail.

The prosecution stated that Mugaino, while serving as the commissioner of land registration at the Ministry of Lands, unlawfully cancelled land titles on April 8 and 20, 2024, which had previously been issued to Tropical Bank Ltd, by Gerald Akugizibwe Mugera, and Namayiba Park Hotel.

This action, the state noted, could have severe financial and social implications for these entities, potentially leading to significant losses and disruptions.

In addition, the state alleged that Mugaino failed to perform his duties as provided for in Section 85 of the Land Act, Cap 236, and his duties as Commissioner of Land Registration.

In April this year, Kamya ordered the Ministry of Lands to interdict Mugaino on serious allegations of land title fraud.

Kamya issued the directive to the Ministry of Lands’ Permanent Secretary, Dorcas Okalany, urging immediate interdiction to facilitate investigations.

The action follows an April 24 operation at Mugaino’s office, where key documents were seized after the Inspectorate received multiple complaints linking him to fraudulent activities.

According to official statements, Mugaino faced accusations of cancelling genuine certificates of Title and replacing them with fake special certificates; lifting caveats arbitrarily; issuing multiple titles for the same land; illegally awarding freehold titles to foreigners; converting mailo and leasehold titles to freehold without following legal processes; disregarding court rulings and neglecting mandatory public hearings.

The IGG cited constitutional provisions and the Inspectorate of Government Act as the legal foundation for the suspension, stressing the need for ethical conduct among government officials.