Former District councillor arrested over Land fraud
LIRA. A former district councillor and secretary of the Production and Natural Resources Committee in Lira District,Ojuka Anthony has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of corruption and conspiracy to defraud.
The arrest and court appearance were conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in partnership with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to prosecution details, the case stems from events that occurred in 2023. Ojuka, along with others including Paul Chankoma, Chairperson of the Lira District Land Board, is accused of soliciting a bribe from a private individual, Eryao Francis. The accused reportedly demanded UGX 70 million and received UGX 5 million as partial payment.
The alleged bribe was tied to a land dispute involving property registered under Freehold Register LIRI 181, Folio 3, Plot 31 in Lira District. The title in question was reportedly under scrutiny, with claims that it had been fraudulently issued to former owners. The accused are alleged to have promised that, in exchange for payment, they would influence the land board’s decision to avoid cancellation of Eryao’s title.
The court has remanded Ojuka until May 27, 2025, as investigations continue. The charges highlight growing concerns around bribery and the manipulation of public institutions in land administration matters.
