In a major win against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has sentenced two top officials from Ibanda District to 18 months in prison for their unlawful actions involving public land. Matsiko Mutwingire Abert, the former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and Nuwagira Tom, the District Natural Resources Officer, were both found guilty of Abuse of Office after they illegally gave out protected forest land.
The court heard that the two officials had granted 13 hectares of land from the Ibanda Forest Reserve to a local group called Rukokoma Mixed Farmers Cooperative Society. This was done without following the legal process of degazetting the forest reserve a step that is required by law before any forest land can be sold or used for other purposes. By skipping this critical step, they broke the law and betrayed the trust of the people they were meant to serve.
Apart from the prison sentence, the court also ordered both men to pay compensation of UGX 10,470,000 each to Ibanda District. This amount is meant to cover the cost of recovering the forest land, which was lost due to their illegal decision.
This case has shocked many in the region, as it highlights the dangers of corruption at high levels of local government. Forest reserves are important for the environment, and when protected areas are sold or misused for personal or group gain, it harms the entire community.
The sentence sends a strong message to other public officials across the country: that no one is above the law, and those who misuse their offices for personal benefit will be held accountable. Citizens are hopeful that more cases like this will be brought to light and justice will continue to be served.
