IGG blocks shs13 billion fraudulent land compensation in Sheema

Sheema, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Inspectorate of Government has blocked a fraudulent compensation claim worth more than 13 billion shillings, averting a potential loss of taxpayers’ money in what officials have described as a “well-orchestrated land fraud scheme.”

Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya Turwomwe confirmed on Tuesday that her office stopped the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) from paying Sh13.35 billion to a man who impersonated the rightful owner of land located on Block 19, Plot 49 at Kiyugu, Sheema District.

“Land Commission (ULC) was in the process of paying Mr. James Kumwesiga, who had impersonated Mr. Polycarp Simba Atuhumuza, the actual owner of the mentioned land,” Kamya, who is also a former minister of lands, said in a statement.

She added that an investigation later revealed that Kumwesiga, working with two accomplices, forged national identity cards and phone numbers and opened a fraudulent account with ABSA Bank in the name of the actual landowner. This account was then presented to ULC as the payment destination.

Following the findings, the IGG issued a directive to the ULC to immediately halt the payment. Kumwesiga was arrested and is now facing prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In a statement, the IGG commended the whistleblower and warned government agencies to remain vigilant against fraud, urging all ministries, departments, and agencies to conduct proper due diligence before effecting payments to creditors.

“All the Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are urged to conduct thorough due diligence before effecting any payments to creditors, to ensure accountability, prevent financial loss, and safeguard public resources,” she noted.

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.

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