A former member of the Lira District Land Board, Ameny Thomas Max, has been charged before court over allegations of fraudulently acquiring a government land title and forging documents to transfer public land into private ownership.
Ameny was on Thursday arraigned at the Grade One Magistrates Court in Lira District following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). He was charged with fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title and forgery before being remanded until August 13, 2026.
According to investigators, the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2020 in Lira District when Ameny, together with other suspects who are still at large, allegedly used his position as a member of the District Land Board and former District Speaker to facilitate the illegal acquisition of government land.
The prosecution alleges that Ameny forged a land application form seeking the conversion of land from customary tenure to freehold tenure. In the application, he allegedly made false claims that his wife, Edwe Dorcus Rita, was the customary owner of part of government land located at Ireda Estate in Lira.
Investigators further allege that the false information was used to process and obtain a freehold certificate of title, with Edwe Dorcus Rita being registered as the owner of Plot 2, Abosolom Oteng Road, Ireda Estate, Lira.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the case forms part of ongoing efforts by government agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of abusing public offices to illegally acquire government property.
Land fraud remains a major concern in Uganda, with authorities warning officials and individuals involved in the illegal sale, transfer, or acquisition of public land that they will face prosecution when found guilty.
The court has since ordered Ameny to remain in custody as investigations continue, while authorities pursue other individuals believed to have participated in the alleged transaction.
