A Senior Land Officer at the Masaka Ministry Zonal Office, Zziwa Colbert Tamale, has been arrested over allegations linked to illegal land titling and other land-related fraud in Greater Masaka.

Zziwa was arrested last evening by the Anti Corruption Unit of State House Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force in Masaka.

According to the authorities, Zziwa is alleged to have been involved in land fraud and dealings with land grabbers. He is facing multiple allegations, including the issuance of more than 265 illegal titles on Central Forest Reserve land and private land in Greater Masaka, as well as allegedly conniving with other land officials.

One of the cases cited involves land belonging to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in Kyanamukaaka, Masaka.

Authorities allege that Zziwa and others created a fraudulent title on the land after its recorded acreage was reduced from 83 acres to 34 acres. The authorities further allege that the land was subsequently partitioned into different plots.

Zziwa is also accused of involvement in a scheme in Sembabule in which hundreds of residents were allegedly asked to pay money under the false pretence of facilitating a free land titling process.

The allegations come despite the Ministry of Lands providing free titles to selected residents, particularly people facing threats of eviction because of land disputes.

Authorities said Zziwa will be arraigned before court once investigations are complete.

Residents of Greater Masaka who have complaints against Zziwa have been urged to report to Masaka Police Station.

Possible charges mentioned by the authorities include abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery.

The allegations against Zziwa have not yet been determined by a court, and he is expected to be arraigned once investigations are concluded.