The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has convicted four individuals over the illegal acquisition and attempted commercial development of land within the protected Lira Central Forest Reserve.

According to an official Judiciary statement, the convicts including former government officials and businessmen pleaded guilty under a plea bargain arrangement and were fined a total of UGX 14.4 million.

“All the convicted persons are hereby barred from holding any public office for the next ten years,” the statement added.

Among those convicted were; Omara Geoffrey, a former Physical Planner in Lira, was sentenced to pay a fine of UGX 2 million or serve 4 years in prison. Ocen Alwong Joseph, a former Senior Land Management Officer in Lira, was fined UGX 1 million or face 2 years in jail. Businessmen Okello Lawrence and Okwiri Joel were sentenced to fines of UGX 6.4 million and UGX 5 million respectively, or each to serve 2 years in prison.

The convicts face charges including Abuse of Office, Fraudulent Procurement of a Certificate of Title, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Altering Boundary Marks, and Occupying the Lira Central Forest Reserve for Commercial Purposes.

The Judiciary also confirmed that Okello Lawrence has agreed to return the fraudulent land title to the Commissioner of Land Registration for cancellation, as part of efforts to restore the forest reserve to its protected status.

The case, which began in December 2023, followed investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate.

Evidence revealed that Okwiri forged signatures of fellow land committee members to process the illegal title, later transferring it to Okello, who cleared part of the forest and began preparing to build a petrol station despite official warnings.

The Ministry of Water and Environment reaffirmed that the titled land falls within the Lira Central Forest Reserve and must remain protected under national environmental laws.