The arrest and remand of Baker Mugaino, Commissioner for Land Registration, marks the latest high-profile development in a sweeping crackdown on land fraud at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Mugaino was remanded to Luzira Prison on Tuesday after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and abuse of office. His bail hearing was postponed to June 5 after his sureties failed to appear.
The charges, filed by the Inspectorate of Government (IG), accuse Mugaino of arbitrarily cancelling land titles between April 8 and 20, 2025, in what officials describe as a misuse of public office. The affected titles include plots in Kisenyi, Namirembe, and Kisugu — previously issued to Tropical Bank Ltd, Akugizibwe Gerald Mugera, and Namayiba Park Hotel.
“This conduct was procedurally irregular and detrimental to the interests of both government and private parties,” the IG said in a statement.
Mugaino is also accused of neglecting statutory duties under Section 85 of the Land Act while handling a complaint related to the same parcels of land. The IG maintains that he failed to execute his responsibilities as Commissioner, violating both the law and his official schedule of duties.
His arrest follows a series of anti-corruption measures within the ministry, triggered by growing public concern over fraudulent land transactions. In April, Inspector General of Government Beti Kamya ordered Mugaino’s interdiction to pave the way for a transparent investigation. The move was preceded by a search operation at his office on April 24, during which investigators seized key documents.
The ongoing probe reflects mounting pressure on the Lands Ministry, long plagued by complaints of title forgery, double allocations, and illegal transfers. Mugaino’s case is being seen by analysts as a test of government resolve to confront entrenched corruption in one of Uganda’s most sensitive and fraud-prone sectors.
While investigations continue, Mugaino remains in remand and is expected back in court on June 5 for the bail hearing.
The Ministry of Lands has yet to comment on whether an acting commissioner will be appointed during the ongoing proceedings.
