KAMPALA.
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has ordered the Uganda Landlord Commission (ULC) not pay Shs 13.4 billion in compensation to a man who claims ownership of a piece of land in Sheema District .
According to Ms Kamya , the purported landlord of a piece of land located on Block 19, Plot 49 at Kiyugu James Kumwesiga is not the rightful owner
In a press statement on Wednesday ,the IGG said she received a whistleblower’s complaint in November 2024 alleging that ULC was in the process of paying Kumwesiga, who had impersonated Polycarp Simba Atuhumuza, the rightful owner of the land.
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Later, IGG investigations commenced, and the Inspectorate of Government established that Kumwesiga had jointly opened a false bank account in Absa Bank with two other persons using forged national identity cards and telephone numbers, and submitted it to ULC for payment.
After investigations, Ms Kamya directed ULC to immediately halt the payment.
Consequently, Kumwesiga was arrested and is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“As a result of the intervention, the IGG saved a loss of 13.4 billion shillings to the government,” said IG spokesperson Ali Munira.
She advised all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to conduct thorough due diligence before effecting any payments to creditors, ensure accountability, prevent financial loss, and safeguard public resources.
Impersonation is a criminal offence with potential legal consequences. It can involve impersonating public officials, security operatives, or even using someone’s identity for fraudulent purposes like obtaining money or evading legal issues.
Penalties can include imprisonment and fines.
Under the Anti-Corruption Act, any person found guilty of impersonating a public officer is liable to three years imprisonment or a fine of 1.4 million shillings or both on conviction.