The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded former Lira City councilor, Kenneth Allan Owani, on charges of corruption and conspiracy to defraud in connection with a land transaction in Lira City.

Owani was arrested alongside former Lira District Land Board Chairperson, Paul Cankoma, and fellow councillor, Anthony Ojuka.

The trio is accused of soliciting a bribe of UGX 70 million from businessman Francis Erayu, who had purchased land in Lira.

According to prosecution, the accused claimed that the land title had been fraudulently issued to former owners and was subject to cancellation.

They allegedly offered to influence the Land Board’s decision to prevent the cancellation in exchange for the bribe, of which UGX 5 million was reportedly paid.

Owani has been remanded to Luzira prison until June 2, 2025, as investigations continue into the alleged land fraud schemes that have plagued Lira District.

The case is part of a broader investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit into widespread land fraud in Lira District.

Since March 2022, over 20 individuals, including politicians, civil servants, and businessmen, have been charged with offenses related to the fraudulent sale and acquisition of public land.

The investigations have uncovered illegal titling of public land, including forest reserves and railway properties, and the sale of green spaces such as Mayor’s Garden.