Ex-MP Mubarak Munyagwa remanded over land dispute

The Ex Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa has been arrested over suspected malicious damage to property by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

Munyagwa and four others were immediately arraigned others before the Kajjansi Chief Magistrates Court on charges of Criminal Trespass, Malicious Damage and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.

Those arrested alongside Munyagwa include; Issa Sekitoreko, a casual labourer from Makindye Central Zone, Paddy Kabuye, the LC one chairperson Bugu Zone, Busabala Ward, Joweria Nakafero, an unemployed resident of Massajja B Cell, and Godfrey Buwembo, a student from Mirimu Zone Ndejje Ward, all residing in Wakiso district.

It is alleged the accused  between May 26 and June 3, 2023, at Mutungo Cell in Wakiso district graded a chunk of land illegally.

It is claimed that the suspects unlawfully entered land owned by Dechomai Asset Trust Number Three LCC, an American-owned company, with the intent to annoy the company. Additionally, they are accused of willfully and unlawfully destroying cassava worth Shs 5 million belonging to Janan Opio.

In a separate incident in 2017, Munyagwa and another individual filed a lawsuit against the National Forestry Authority (NFA) for alleged interference with the land they claimed to own.

The NFA defended itself, asserting that the disputed land, measuring over 20 acres and situated on the lakeshore, belonged to the NFA and was not alienable as it was being managed for the benefit of all Ugandans.

In 2019, Munyagwa faced a criminal summons from the Anti-Corruption court on charges of soliciting a gratification of Shs 100 million from Francis Kakumba. The prosecution alleged that while serving as the mayor of Kawempe Division in December 2014, Munyagwa sought a bribe in exchange for his influence to secure Kakumba’s appointment as a member of the Kampala City Land Board. It was further claimed that Munyagwa received $20,000 and an additional Shs 4 million from Kakumba for the same purpose.