Interdicted Lands Commissioner Mugaino Remanded

The Anti-Corruption Court has remanded Baker Mugaino, the Commissioner for Land Registration in the Ministry of Lands, to Luzira Prison over corruption and abuse of office charges.

Mugaino, was arrested on Tuesday by the Inspectorate of Government over alleged corruption and abuse of office.

Following his arrest, Mr. Mugaino appeared before Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyaze on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

His application for bail was deferred to June 5, 2025, after his sureties failed to show up in court.

According to a press statement issued by the Inspectorate of Government, the charges stem from alleged irregularities committed between April 8 and 20, 2025, in Kampala.

The prosecution alleges that during the stated period, Mr. Mugaino, while serving in public service as Commissioner for Land Registration, engaged in acts "in abuse of the authority of his office" by arbitrarily cancelling certificates of title previously issued to Tropical Bank Ltd, Akugizibwe Gerald Mugera, and Namayiba Park Hotel.

The disputed land titles include Kibuga Block 12 Plots 658, 659, and 665 in Kisenyi; Kibuga Block 4 Plot 152 in Namirembe; and Kisugu, Kyadondo Block 244 Plot 250.

The IG stated that his actions were procedurally improper and prejudicial to the interests of the government and the affected parties.

In a second charge, the Inspectorate accuses Mr. Mugaino of neglecting his responsibilities under Section 85 of the Land Act (Cap 236) and his official duties as Commissioner.

The alleged neglect occurred while he was handling a complaint involving the same disputed parcels of land.

“Baker Mugaino… neglected to perform his duties as stipulated in Section 85 of the Land Act Cap 236 and his schedule of duties as Commissioner Land Registration,” the IG said in its statement.

Mugaino will remain in remand until the court reconvenes on June 5 to consider his bail application, while the investigation is ongoing.

The development comes weeks after the IGG ordered the interdiction of Mugaino, following a wave of land fraud allegations that engulfed senior officials in the ministry.

IGG Beti Kamya had in April directed Permanent Secretary Dorcas Okalany to interdict Mugaino to facilitate ongoing investigations into the fraudulent transfer and cancellation of land titles.

The IGG’s directive came at the backdrop of a search and seizure operation at Mugaino’s office on April 24, 2025, during which key documents were confiscated.