Summary:
- Majambere was brought before the court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, following his arrest in Rukiga District on Wednesday.
GOMBA: The Gomba Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded Rukiga District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Ivan Kamuntu Ssemakula Majambere to prison until December 3, 2024, on charges related to land grabbing.
Majambere was brought before the court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, following his arrest in Rukiga District on Wednesday.
He faces charges of Conspiracy to Defraud, Stealing Cattle, and Criminal Trespass. Majambere, along with other individuals who are still at large, is accused of forcibly taking possession of land in Gomba District.
In August 2023, Majambere and his accomplices allegedly seized approximately 300 acres (Block 75, Plot 2) of farmland in Gomba District that belonged to 75-year-old Frank Rushanganwa. The elderly Rushanganwa has held a certificate of title for the land since 2003.
During the land seizure, Majambere and his associates also stole 157 cows, valued at UGX 318 million, which were then transported to an unknown location. Majambere claims that he purchased part of the land from his co-accused, Amos Mwesigye, in 2020.
Mwesigye, in turn, alleges he bought the entire property in 2018, but has failed to provide any evidence of the transaction. To further consolidate their illegal occupation, the duo allegedly sold portions of the land to unsuspecting buyers.
In March 2024, a court issued an eviction order against Mwesigye. Despite this, Majambere and his associates are said to have continued to threaten the legitimate owner, Mzee Rushanganwa, prompting intervention by SHACU, which led to Majambere’s arrest.
However, Majambere, denied the charges, stating that he was being accused of an offence he was not fully aware of. He claimed that his side of the story had not been heard by the relevant authorities, but as a law-abiding citizen, he had complied with the court’s orders.
Majambere further appealed to President Museveni for intervention, requesting that his rights be protected.
