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A Police officer and a businessman were Tuesday charged with forgery, forceful eviction, uttering false documents and fraudulent sale of land belonging to a former minister.

Appearing at the Chief Magistrate's Court of Masindi, they were then granted bail, with the case expected to resume on April 9 for hearing.

The land in question is said to belong to Henry Kajura, 89, who has previously served as Third Deputy Prime Minister and public service minister.

One of two people who have been charged is Naboth Kusima, a Police officer attached to the Criminal Investigation Directorate headquarters.

The other accused is Robert Businge, a Masindi district-based businessman.

They were each given a sh1 million cash bail and their sureties each bonded at sh5 million non-cash.

They are expected to be back in the courtroom on April 9 for hearing of their case.

The two accused men were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), who worked with Police to investigate the matter.

"They appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court Masindi,” a statement released by SHACU said.

On the first count of forgery (contrary to Section 342 and 347 of the Penal Code Act, the state alleges that Kusima and others still at large forged the signature of Kajura in a letter dated June 23, 2023, addressed to the Secretary Land Board Masindi district, purporting to have been signed by Kajura whereas not.

On the second count of uttering false document (contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code Act), the state alleges that Kusima on August 16, 2023, did utter to Samuel Liwa, an investigator of SHACU, a forged letter dated June 24, 2023, purported to have been signed by Kajura whereas not.

On the third count of trespass (contrary to Section 92(1)), the state alleges that Businge and others still at large, in or around 2018, entered and occupied a Kibanja measuring 40 acres, found in plot 66, Buruli, Block 10, Land at Buyanja, without the consent of the title holder and owner Kajura.

On the fourth count of unlawful eviction (contrary to Section 92 (1) of the Land Act), the state alleges that Businge and others still at large, in or around January 2018, evicted Victoria Kifatoro, the bonafide occupant of the kibanja measuring 40 acres found in plot 66, Buruli, Block 10, land at Buyanja without a court order.

On count five, the state alleges that Businge and others still at large, in or around January 2018, entered into a kibanja measuring 40 acres, in the possession of Kifatoro with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy her.