Lutwaama Isaac Magandaazi has been charged at the Mityana Chief Magistrate’s Court with obtaining money by false pretences, in a case that has drawn public attention to ongoing land fraud in the region. The suspect, described by authorities as a notorious land grabber, was arraigned following a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to investigations, Lutwaama allegedly defrauded a victim between March and August 2020 in Nawanga, Zigoti Town Council, Mityana District. He reportedly claimed that he was selling land located at Block 24, Plot 53, convincing the victim that he was the rightful owner. Trusting his claims, the victim paid him UGX 37 million in exchange for the property.
However, it was later discovered that the land did not belong to Lutwaama and that he had no authority to sell it. The property had a legitimate owner, making the transaction fraudulent from the beginning. Investigators say Lutwaama deliberately misled the victim in order to obtain the money under false pretences.
The matter was reported to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit after the victim realized the deception. This led to investigations that resulted in Lutwaama’s arrest. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to receiving millions of shillings from the complainant through the fake land deal.
Authorities have since revealed that this may not be the only case involving Lutwaama. Further investigations suggest that he could be linked to several similar incidents in both Mityana and Wakiso districts. This has raised concerns about the widespread nature of land fraud and the need for stronger vigilance among buyers.
Lutwaama has been remanded in custody until April 9, 2026, as investigations continue. Authorities are now urging members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and report their cases. They believe that more testimonies could help uncover the full extent of the fraud.
The case serves as a strong reminder to the public to always verify land ownership through official channels before making any payments. Experts advise involving legal professionals and conducting proper due diligence to avoid falling prey to such scams.
