Former Kawempe South Member of Parliament Mubarak Munyagwa alongside four others have been charged with criminal trespass, malicious damage to property and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Munyangwa and his co-accused appeared before Kajjansi Chief Magistrate Doreen Karungi Court following their arrest earlier on Tuesday in a joint security operation involving the police and detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
They, however, denied the charges before remanded until June 12 when they will appear before court.
According to the charge sheet, Hon. Mubarak Munyangwa, Paddy Kabuye, Joweria Nakafero, Godfrey Buwembo, Isa Sekitoleko and others still at large, between May 26 and June 3, 2023 at Mutungo cell in Ndejje division Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso District, entered on a land comprised in LRV 3839 Folio 20, Kyadondo Block 272 Plot 256 in possession of Dechomai Asset Trust Number Three LCC with intent to annoy the said Dechomai Asset Trust Number Three L.C.C.
Those arrested alongside Hon. Munyagwa include Issa Sekitoreko, a casual laborer from Makindye Central Zone, Paddy Kabuye, the Chairperson Bugu Cell Local Council One in Busabala Ward, Joweria Nakafero, an unemployed resident of Massajja B Cell, and Godfrey Buwembo, a student from Mirimu Cell Ndejje Ward, all residents of Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality in Wakiso District.
They are also accused of willfully and unlawfully destroying cassava at 5 million Shillings, which belonged to Janan Opio.
This is not the first time that Munyagwa has been implicated in land-related controversies.
In a separate incident in 2017, Munyagwa and another individual filed a lawsuit against the National Forestry Authority (NFA) for alleged interference with the land they claimed to own.
The NFA defended itself, asserting that the disputed land, measuring over 20 acres and situated on the lakeshore, belonged to the NFA and was not alienable as it was being managed for the benefit of all Ugandans.
In 2019, Mr. Munyagwa faced a criminal summons from the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of soliciting a gratification of 100 million shillings from Francis Kakumba.
The prosecution alleged that while serving as the Mayor of Kawempe Division in December 2014, hon. Munyagwa sought a bribe in exchange for his influence to secure Kakumba’s appointment as a member of the Kampala City Land Board.
It was further claimed that Mr. Munyagwa received USD 20,000 and an additional 4 million shillings from Kakumba for the same purpose. The current status of this case remains unknown
