'Valuation of Kazinda’s assets to take one month'

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Chief government valuer Gilbert Kermundu has said the valuation of 17 properties recovered by the Inspectorate of Government from corrupt officials, including assets linked to former Office of the Prime Minister principal accountant Geoffrey Kazinda, will be completed within a month.

Kermundu made the remarks on March 26, 2026, during the second site visit by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Aisha Batala Naluzze, to a property in Bukoto formerly owned by Kazinda.

He said the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has a competent team to handle the exercise within the stipulated time frame.

“I can assure you that we have a formidable team that is skilled in valuation. Our client charter outlines the timelines, and this assignment should not take more than one month,” Kermundu said.

Kazinda was convicted in 2020 for illicit enrichment after he was found to be living beyond his means, with wealth estimated at over sh4b that could not be explained by his income. Following the conviction, the court ordered that his properties be taken over by the government.

On March 25, 2026, Batala also inspected one of the properties located in Kitende along Entebbe Road in Wakiso district. The property, previously owned by a former UNRA staff member who was not named, is among those forfeited to the state following investigations.

UNRA was dissolved in December 2024 following the repeal of the UNRA Act 2006, with its functions, assets, and staff reassigned to the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Findings by the Inspectorate of Government reveal that the official under-declared his assets by sh1.6b. However, to avoid prosecution, he surrendered a property comprising 10 rental apartments situated on Busiro Block 383, Plot 9726.

According to the Inspectorate, the apartments generate a monthly income of sh7m, which is remitted to the Inspectorate’s Asset Recovery Account held at Bank of Uganda.

Naluzze commended the investigators for their diligence, noting that the institution remains committed to tracing and recovering illicitly acquired assets.

“We shall continue pursuing individuals who steal public resources. Asset recovery remains a key strategy in ensuring accountability,” she said.

Batala disclosed that five of the 17 recovered properties are developed and generating income, while the remaining 12 are undeveloped. All the properties are currently managed by Knight Frank on behalf of the Inspectorate.

The IGG noted that the recoveries, achieved through court orders, voluntary forfeitures, and investigations, demonstrate the institution’s growing capacity to handle complex corruption cases.

Justice Naluzze said the ongoing asset tracing and financial profiling strategy is critical in identifying and seizing properties acquired through illicit means.

She said the latest developments should reassure the public that efforts to combat corruption are yielding results and that the fight is far from over.

Over the years, the Inspectorate has recovered several properties in the form of land and buildings, either as a result of court orders, forfeited in lieu of prosecution, or arising from investigations.