High Court of Uganda sitting at the Entebbe Circuit has convicted Charles Kyagaba, a man widely accused of orchestrating a long-running campaign of land grabbing and intimidation in Wakiso District.
Kyagaba was found guilty on multiple criminal charges, including malicious damage to property, fraudulent procurement of land titles, criminal trespass, assault and forcible entry, among other offences.
The conviction follows years of complaints from residents, particularly in Entebbe and surrounding areas, who accused Kyagaba and his associates of fraudulently claiming ownership of private properties and using threats and unlawful force to evict legitimate occupants.
Legal observers say the ruling could mark one of the most significant convictions involving land-related offences in recent years, especially in Wakiso District, which has long been regarded as one of the country’s hotspots for fraudulent land transactions and illegal evictions.
Kyagaba was first arrested in 2022 after a wave of public complaints and widespread concern over escalating land disputes in Entebbe.
Authorities said the coordinated investigation uncovered substantial evidence linking Kyagaba to fraudulent land title acquisitions and a pattern of unlawful property takeovers.
Prosecutors indicated that Kyagaba did not act alone and that several of his alleged accomplices remain at large.
Law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring them before the courts.
The conviction has been welcomed by property owners and anti-corruption advocates as a strong signal that authorities are prepared to confront individuals accused of exploiting weaknesses in land administration systems.
Land grabbing remains one of Uganda’s most persistent and contentious challenges, often involving forged documentation, multiple titles and violent evictions.
Residents of Wakiso and Entebbe expressed hope that the verdict will deter similar schemes and restore confidence in the justice system.
For many victims who spent years fighting to protect their homes and land, the conviction of Charles Kyagaba represents not only a legal triumph but also a long-awaited moment of vindication.
According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report by the Uganda Police Force, land-related crimes surged by 67%, with 663 cases of land fraud recorded nationwide compared to 397 cases the previous year. This spike comes despite a 10.2% reduction in overall reported crime.Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, led by Hon. Judith Nabakooba and State Minister Dr. Sam Mayanja, operates on a zero-tolerance policy against land grabbing, forged titles, and illegal evictions. The government has increased crackdowns following a recent spike in land fraud cases.
The Ministry actively investigates and orders the cancellation of illegally acquired land titles. State ministers personally visit contested areas to review District Land Board decisions and nullify titles forged by land grabbers.
To avert illegal title processing (especially for large land parcels over 250 hectares), the Ministry instituted new guidelines requiring physical inspections and background talks with local authorities before processing large-scale land titles.
