Uganda’s Lands Minister, Judith Nabakooba, has denied involvement in the suspension of Commissioner for Land Registration, Baker Mugaino, saying the decision was made without her input.
In a letter to President Yoweri Museveni dated 27 August, Ms Nabakooba stated that the interdiction was carried out jointly by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and her ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
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“This is to inform you that the interdiction of Mr Baker Mugaino… was done by the Inspector General of Government and Permanent Secretary… without involving me,” she wrote.
Mr Mugaino is currently facing charges before the Anti-Corruption Court and had been remanded. A later court order sought to block the suspension, but Ms Nabakooba explained that the ruling was issued after the interdiction had already taken effect on 28 April.
The minister told the President that she had instructed her Permanent Secretary to liaise with the IGG to ensure his directive was followed. The correspondence was also copied to the Attorney General, the IGG and her Permanent Secretary.
The matter comes amid President Museveni’s push for reforms in Uganda’s land sector, which has long faced accusations of fraud, double titling and mismanagement. In May, the President ordered Mr Mugaino’s reinstatement and directed the Lands Ministry to fast-track the use of blockchain technology in the Uganda Land Information System.
In his communication at the time, Mr Museveni cited losses exceeding $140 million despite efforts to digitise land records. He questioned the legality of removing Mr Mugaino without consulting him, stressing that any action against presidential appointees must first receive his approval.
The President has argued that blockchain adoption is essential to combating land-related corruption and ensuring greater integrity in the management of one of Uganda’s most sensitive sectors.
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