Kampala, Uganda | The State House Anti-Corruption Court has remanded Ateng Francis, former Principal Assistant Secretary at the Lira Ministry of Lands Zonal Office, to Luzira Prison until November 7, 2025, pending sentencing after being convicted on 11 counts of land fraud.
Chief Magistrate Rachel Nakyazze found Ateng guilty of illegally facilitating the sale of Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) land located along Mukwano Road in Lira District.
The charges included abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forgery, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Viola Tusingwire from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ateng conspired with Ocen Joseph, a Lira businessman, to unlawfully transfer prime public land comprised in FRV 2020 Folio 13, Plots 42–50, Mukwano Road.
Ocen, who earlier pleaded guilty to personating a public officer, was sentenced to two years in prison after entering a plea bargain and later testified against Ateng.
Court heard that Ocen falsely presented himself as Kateba Charles, the Managing Director of URC, and signed documents used in the illegal land transaction.
Evidence presented showed that Ateng irregularly processed a special certificate of title, enabling the fraudulent transfer of the land.
Prosecution witnesses including a handwriting expert, URC officials, and Ateng’s subordinate Okello Robert testified that Okello was instructed to upload the forged documents into the Uganda National Land Information System.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Nakyazze stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that Ateng was guilty on all counts.
She therefore convicted him and remanded him to Luzira Prison until November 7, 2025, when he will be sentenced.
The magistrate also reminded the convict of his right to appeal.
The convicted counts include Abuse of Office, Fraudulent Procurement of a Certificate of Title, Forgery (Counts 5–10), Uttering False Documents, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.
A third suspect, Ogangi Walter, a businessman from Kiwanga–Goma Division in Mukono Municipality, remains at large.
Ateng, who concealed his face from cameras with a mask and hat as he left court, was whisked off to Luzira Prison under tight security.
He will return to the Anti-Corruption Court on November 7, 2025, for sentencing.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the ODPP handled the investigation and prosecution of the case.