Lands Commissioner Remanded to Luzira on Corruption Charges
Interdicted Commissioner for Land Registration, Mr Baker Mugaino
By Peterson Hiirya.
The Commissioner for Land Registration, Baker Mugaino, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on charges of abuse of office and corruption.
Mr Mugaino appeared before Chief Magistrate Rachael Nakyaze on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was arrested earlier in the day by officers from the Office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG).
Under the first charge of abuse of office, prosecutors allege that between April 8 and 25, 2025, while serving as Commissioner for Land Registration in the Ministry of Lands, Mr Mugaino arbitrarily cancelled certificates of title belonging to Tropical Bank, Gerald Akugizibwe, and Namayiba Park Hotel. The disputed property is located in Kisenyi and comprises Kibuga Block 12, Plots 658, 659, and 665.
The second charge, brought under Sections 2(i) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act, accuses Mr Mugaino of corruption through neglect of his statutory duties under Section 88 of the Land Act. The allegations stem from his handling of a land complaint involving the same properties.
According to the IGG, Mr Mugaino’s actions undermined the integrity of the land registration system and caused significant hardship to the affected landowners.
On April 24, IGG officials raided his office in search of evidence linked to the alleged irregular cancellation and transfer of land titles. The following day, the ombudsman directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Dorcas Okalany, to interdict Mr Mugaino to pave the way for investigations.
Mr Mugaino was remanded to Luzira Prison and is expected to return to court to apply for bail. If convicted, he faces dismissal from public service and a possible custodial sentence.
