news 29 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Sembabule Residents Accuse Lands Officer of Extortion as More Victims Emerge
More residents in Sembabule District have come forward to accuse the district's senior lands management officer, Emmanuel Champion Kananura, of extorting money for land titles that were never issued. Kananura faces charges including embezzlement and abuse of office. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/more-sembabule-residents-accuse-embattled-lands-officer-of-extortion-5575550
Several residents of Sembabule District are intensifying their accusations against Emmanuel Champion Kananura, the district’s senior lands management officer, who is currently detained. The complainants allege that Kananura took substantial sums of money from them with the promise of processing land titles, but these titles were never delivered.
A group of ten individuals from Kitahira Village, Mitima Sub County, recently camped at the district land offices, each claiming to have paid Kananura approximately Shs3 million in 2024. John Bosco Mugumya, whose family is among the complainants, stated he paid Shs3.5 million and possesses a receipt, but was repeatedly misled by Kananura until the officer’s arrest by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Other affected residents from Mitima Sub County include Ezekel Butunda, David Rwamasaka, Jane Kyamukondo, Frank Kyanshaija, and Mesarch Rugaaju, who similarly paid for land titles that never materialized. Kananura was arrested earlier this month and is facing multiple charges in the High Court, including embezzlement, abuse of office, corruption, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The alleged scheme came to light during a government anti-corruption campaign in Sembabule. Prosecutors contend that Kananura illicitly collected between Shs1.5 million and Shs6 million from land title applicants between August 2024 and August 2026, potentially amassing close to Shs1 billion. This was part of a government-subsidized program aimed at reducing titling costs, funded by the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer project.
Sembabule authorities have advised the affected residents to remain patient. The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Richard Kizza, noted that Kananura’s office is closed following his arrest, and the District Secretary for land, Michael Kakulu, was also arrested in connection with forgery, abuse of office, and extortion. The Resident District Commissioner, Jane Francis Kagaayi, emphasized that the titling process was free and criticized officials for failing to adequately inform residents, which allowed unscrupulous individuals to exploit public ignorance.
The number of residents reporting Kananura’s alleged misconduct has reportedly reached 87. Separately, the Minister for Lands, Judith Nabakooba, has issued stern warnings against land title forgery and double titling, vowing to prosecute implicated officials. Recent arrests in Masaka also highlight ongoing issues within land administration in the region.