Kampala, April 29 2025– The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,has arraigned two suspects over the illegal acquisition and destruction of part of Lira Central Forest Reserve.
Omara Geoffrey, the former Lira City Physical Planner, and Okello Lawrence, a prominent businessman, were brought before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of Abuse of Office, Fraudulent Procurement of a Certificate of Title, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Altering Boundary Marks, and Illegally Clearing a Forest Reserve for Commercial Use.
The court remanded the duo until 6th May 2025 as investigations continue.
Prosecutors revealed that in 2018,Omara Geoffrey, while serving as Lira City Physical Planner, fraudulently issued a forwarding letter to the Lira District Land Board, falsely claiming that the Physical Planning Committee had approved a leasehold title for part of Lira Forest Reserve -a protected government land.
Using the forged documents, Omara facilitated the illegal issuance of a land title, which was later transferred to businessman Okello Lawrence.Shockingly, Okello proceeded to clear part of the forest, drain the land with murram, and begin constructing a petrol station—despite warnings from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
This is not Omara’s first brush with the law. The disgraced former planner has previously been convicted twice for similar crimes involving the illegal sale of government land in Lira.
Sources indicate that Okello Lawrence allegedly enjoyed political backing which emboldened him to defy government directives halting construction on the forest reserve. The prosecution is investigating possible collusion with high-profile officials in the fraudulent land deal.
The case has drawn public outrage, with environmentalists condemning the destruction of the forest reserve. The court will resume hearing the matter on 6th May 2025,as authorities vow to pursue all involved, including powerful figures who may have aided the illegal land acquisition.
