The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (Shacu) has dismissed as false claims circulating on social media by Cynthia Saanah Kamanzi, stating that investigations instead point to serious land-related offences now before court.
In an April 15 statement, Shacu said it acted on a complaint filed by Denis Nuwaijuka, who alleged he had been unlawfully evicted from family land located in Kagando/Akayanja Cells, Kinoni Sub-county in Kiruhura District.
According to Shacu, a joint investigation team comprising officers from the Uganda Police Force and the anti-corruption unit established that the disputed land measures 74.6 hectares and is registered under LRV 2659 Folio 5, Nyabushozi Block 61 Plot 22.
The land was originally registered in the name of the late Jovanisi Rutazagira, who occupied it until her death in 2021.
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Investigators allege that following her death, Cynthia Saanah Kamanzi restricted access to the land for Denis Nuwaijuka, Justine Atuhaire, and Francis Tusingwire--children of her late sister Joy Barisingye--who claim a beneficial interest in the estate.
The dispute prompted the filing of High Court Civil Suit No. 86 of 2023 in Mbarara, which remains pending.
On October 3, 2023, the court issued a consent order maintaining the status quo and barring any transactions involving the land until the case is resolved.
However, Shacu alleges that during the pendency of the case, Kamanzi fraudulently secured registration of the land in her name by converting customary interests into freehold tenure, in violation of the court order.
The unit further claims that she subdivided the land into three portions and sold approximately 29 hectares, before evicting Nuwaijuka Denis to provide vacant possession to a buyer.
Her actions are also said to have restricted access to two valley dams located on adjacent government land.
Following investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal guidance.
On April 2, 2026, Kamanzi was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate's Court in Mbarara and charged with multiple offences.
These include intermeddling in the estate of a deceased person under the Administrator General's Act, fraudulent procurement of title under the Registration of Titles Act, and unlawful eviction under the Land Act.
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SH-ACU also revealed that investigations are ongoing into the conduct of land officials suspected of irregularly facilitating the issuance of the contested title.
While acknowledging that the matter is now before court, the unit maintained that the alleged actions constitute criminal offences under Ugandan law.
"Rather than undermine state effort in fighting impunity through blackmail and making false claims on social media platforms, Saanah should defend herself in court," the statement said.
The anti-corruption body urged the public to respect judicial processes as the case proceeds.
