The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has averted the loss of UGX13.3 billion in public funds by halting a fraudulent land compensation payout to an impersonator in Sheema District.
In a press statement, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, revealed that her office had stopped the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) from compensating a one James Kumwesiga, who falsely claimed ownership of land located on Block 19, Plot 49 at Kiyugu in Sheema.
“In November 2024, we received a whistleblower complaint indicating that ULC was processing payment for an individual who had impersonated Mr Polycarp Simba Atuhumuza, the rightful landowner,” Kamya stated.
The IGG’s investigations established that Kumwesiga, in connivance with two others, had fraudulently opened a bank account in ABSA Bank using forged national IDs and telephone numbers. The trio submitted this account to ULC, aiming to divert the land compensation payment.
“We found that the documents presented were forged, and the bank account was fake. I directed ULC to immediately halt the payment,” Kamya added.
Kumwesiga was later arrested and is currently being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“As a result of our intervention, we saved UGX13.3 billion that would have otherwise been lost to fraud,” Kamya affirmed.
The IGG further urged all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen verification processes before making payments.
“All MDAs must conduct thorough due diligence before effecting payments to ensure accountability, prevent financial loss, and safeguard public resources,” she emphasized.
Uganda has in recent years seen a spate of fraudulent land compensation claims in which the government has lost hefty sums of money to fraudsters exploiting weak verification systems.
The ULC, which is mandated to manage public land on behalf of the government, has in recent years faced criticism for weak internal controls and lax verification processes, which anti-corruption campaigners say have left the Commission vulnerable to fraud and collusion.
