Lira | Leonard Otika, Lira City natural resource officer, and City engineer Fred Owiny were arrested on Wednesday afternoon under the orders of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and detained at Lira City Central Police Station.
Mirriam Natasha, communication officer at State House Anti-Corruption Unit, told tndNews that the two were arrested on charges of selling land belonging to the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
They allegedly sold the forest land to a prominent businessman in Lira City, who later built a fuel station on it.
Natasha made no mention of the aforementioned businessman or the land, but did state that investigations are ongoing.
She revealed that the Unit has received numerous complaints from the Lira community regarding the mismanagement of government property by those in positions of authority.
“I can confirm that the two have been arrested, that their files are ready, and that they will appear in court at any time,” Natasha told tndNews‘ Felix Omara.
Currently, those under investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in Lira on issues of land and other corruption-related cases, as confirmed by Natasha, include Geoffrey Etwop and Lawrence Okello, all business tycoons.
In 2023 leading to his arrest, Ministry of Water and Environment officials notified Okello of the fact that he was on the Forest reserve and tried to stop him from constructing a Petrol station thereon.
As per the available information by State House, the tycoon overpowered NFA officials due to the backing of some politicians and money.
Others still being investigated include Anthony Ojuka, a former Lira City West MP candidate, Francis Okello Olwa, the secretary of the Lira District Land Board, and Joel Ogwang, among others.
At the time of publication, SPJimmy Patrick Okema, PRO of North Kyoga, stated that the arrest report had not yet reached his office.
In 2023, Ministry of Water and Environment officials notified Okello of the fact that he was on the Forest reserve and tried to stop him from constructing a Petrol station thereon, the Unit said in a statement it published in December 2023.
However, the statement added that he overpowered the ministry officials due to the backing of some politicians and money.
This story continues to develop.
By Felix Omara.
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