Four convicted in Lira land fraud, barred for 10 years

8 July 2025, 4:52 pm

By Editorial

The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on Monday, 7 July, convicted and sentenced four individuals involved in a high-profile land fraud case concerning the Lira Central Forest Reserve. The group was fined a combined total of UGX 14.4 million, with the alternative of serving prison sentences if they fail to pay.

The convicted individuals are:

• Omara Geoffrey, former Physical Planner for Lira District, was fined UGX 2 million or sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
• Ocen Alwong Joseph, former Senior Land Management Officer in Lira, was fined UGX 1 million or two years in prison.
• Okello Lawrence, a businessman, received the heaviest fine of UGX 6.4 million or two years’ imprisonment.
• Okwir Joel, also a businessman, was fined UGX 5 million or sentenced to two years in jail.

The convictions relate to their roles in the fraudulent acquisition of a land title for a portion of the Lira Central Forest Reserve. The charges included Abuse of Office, Fraudulent Procurement of a Certificate of Title, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Alteration of Boundary Marks, and Unlawful Occupation of Protected Land for Commercial Purposes.

All four individuals pleaded guilty through a plea bargain arrangement. In a significant development, Okello Lawrence agreed to return the fraudulently acquired land title to the Commissioner of Land Registration for cancellation.

Additionally, the court has barred all four from holding any public office for the next ten years, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and environmental crimes.

This case underscores ongoing efforts by the judiciary and the National Forestry Authority to safeguard Uganda’s natural resources from illegal encroachment and misuse.