Former Lira deputy town clerk arrested over illegal sale of Lira mayors’ garden land

3 April 2023, 9:21 am

By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested the town clerk of Nebbi Municipality also the former deputy town clerk of Lira city council Patrick Ogweng over the sale of part of Lira mayors’ garden.

The arrest of Patrick Ogweng is part of investigation being conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit into corruption allegation in land transaction against him and others including; Omara Geoffrey the former Lira city council physical planner and Lira businessman, Patrick Olet who bought public land on plot 2 Isaza Ogwang Guzi road located at the mayors’ garden.

Head of legal affairs at State House Anti-corruption Unit, Samuel Arinaitwe said Ogweng Patrick was arrested on Saturday in Nebbi and transferred to the Central Police Station in Kampala where he is being held.

Arinaitwe said investigation against Ogweng is complete and he is expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption court today.

He adds that Omara Geoffrey is still at large and will soon be arrested while Patrick Olet has been cooperating with the investigation.

On 27/7/2022, officials from State House anti-corruption unit begun recording statements from staffs of Lira city in relation to the sale of Lira Mayor’s garden land and those who recorded statements to that effect are; Lira city surveyor, members of physical planning committee, clerk to council, senior human resource officer and physical planner Geoffrey Omara. However, Ogweng did not record statements.

Patrick Ogweng through his layer, Adam Makmot Kibwanga later wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accusing State House Anti-corruption unit of threats and defamation.

Ogweng said his signature appearing on a 30/8/2018 letter purported to support the sale of plot 2, Isaza Ogwang guzi road was forged by some unknown people.