Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The State House anti-corruption unit returned land files belonging to Lira district local government that had been seized 17 months ago to Lira city and Lira district yesterday.

Brig Gen Henry Isoke, head of the State House Anti-Corruption unit, handed over the files in Kampala.

The files had been seized from the secretary of the Lira district land board, Francis Okello Olwa, who was arrested for transporting them during late hours, which was illegal.

The chairperson of the Lira district land board, Paul Cankoma, confirmed that Brig. Gen Henry Isoke had handed over 153 land files of Lira city council, along with 2,885 land title applications for Lira city, 18 land files, and 18 land title applications for Lira district.

Cankoma also mentioned that they received stamps for the Lira district land board (3), one seal, two stamps for the physical planner, one for the senior lands officer, and one computer.

He added that the police from Lira central police station were ordered to return Francis Okello Olwa’s vehicle, which had been confiscated during his arrest.

Two months ago, Minister of Gender, Labor, and Social Development Betty Amongi Akena wrote to Brig Gen Henry Isoke, requesting the return of the confiscated land files that were not under investigation. Withholding them had been frustrating development in Lira city, as business persons couldn’t access loans after their land documents were confiscated.

Joel Milton Aliro Omara, the chairperson of the Lira city land board, confirmed that the land titles had been returned. However, they were not informed about the progress of the investigation into land issues in Lira city by the State House anti-corruption unit.