The Commissioner for Land Registration in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Baker Mugaino, has been arrested by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
He is expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court this afternoon where he will be formally charged.
Mugaino’s arrest follows an earlier interdiction ordered by the IGG in April 2025. At the time, the IGG directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to suspend him to allow for thorough investigations into serious complaints relating to fraudulent land title transactions.
These included irregular cancellation of genuine land titles, lifting of caveats without due process, and the issuance of freehold titles to foreign nationals in violation of the law.
The IGG said the complaints suggested a pattern of abuse within the land registration system, pointing to Mugaino’s alleged role in facilitating or authorizing illegal transfers. The suspension was aimed at preventing interference with investigations and preserving the integrity of evidence.
The arrest signals an intensified crackdown on corruption within the Ministry of Lands, which has long been plagued by fraud and irregularities. Land-related corruption remains one of the most common forms of public sector malfeasance in Uganda, with victims ranging from private landowners to public institutions.
This latest development underscores the government’s commitment to holding public officials accountable and restoring trust in the country’s land administration systems. The IGG’s office has reaffirmed its resolve to follow the evidence and prosecute all those involved in undermining land tenure security.
If convicted, Mugaino faces serious legal consequences, including imprisonment and loss of office. The case is likely to attract significant public interest given the Ministry’s central role in managing land rights and the increasing frequency of land disputes across the country.
