The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has blocked the payment of compensation amounting to Shs13.4 billion to an imposter who falsely claimed ownership of land located on Block 19, Plot 49 at Kiyugu, Sheema District.
In November 2024, the IGG received a whistle-blower complaint alleging that the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) was in the process of paying James Kumwesiga, who had impersonated Polycarp Simba Atuhumuza, the actual owner of the land in question.
Investigations conducted by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) established that Kumwesiga had jointly opened a fraudulent bank account in ABSA Bank with two other individuals, using forged National Identity Cards and telephone numbers, which they submitted to ULC for payment.
The IGG directed the ULC to immediately halt the payment.
Kumwesiga was arrested and is currently being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
As a result of the IGG’s intervention, the government was saved from a potential loss of Shs13.355 billion.
The IGG has urged all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to conduct thorough due diligence before effecting any payments to creditors, in order to ensure accountability, prevent financial loss, and safeguard public resources. .
