A notorious land grabber in Masaka, Zulaika Nakabiri, has been remanded to prison after being arraigned before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges related to alleged illegal land activities.
Nakabiri appeared before court alongside Edrisa Bugembe, Abdu Swaburu Dumba, and Abbey Makumbi, where they were charged over allegations of assault, criminal trespass, unlawful occupation of land, and destruction of property belonging to residents in different parts of Masaka.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with Masaka Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), told court that the accused persons had allegedly terrorised residents by forcefully taking over land, destroying crops, trees, houses, and other property.
The suspects denied the charges and were remanded until August 13, 2026, as investigations continue.
In a separate case, Misaala Cell LC I Chairperson Godfrey Ntale and Juuko John were also charged and remanded over allegations of theft and conspiracy to defraud members of the public through a fake Parish Development Model (PDM) funds scheme.
Prosecution alleges that the two convinced residents that they could help them access PDM funds before obtaining their mobile money details and withdrawing money without their consent.
Court heard that one of the victims, Ntuumwa Elvis, approached the suspects for assistance to apply for PDM funds. Juuko allegedly helped him fill out the application and later instructed him to register a new SIM card, from which they obtained his mobile money PIN.
The accused allegedly took possession of the SIM card and later withdrew Shs1 million that had been disbursed to the victim.
Ntuumwa reported the matter after failing to receive the funds or get an explanation from the suspects during the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” Baraza in Masaka.
The cases follow complaints raised by residents during the anti-corruption campaign led by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, which has resulted in several investigations and prosecutions in the area.
