Ateng Francis, the principal assistant secretary in charge of the lands ministry zonal office, has been charged with multiple offenses related to Uganda Railways Corporation land. The charges include abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forgery, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to defraud. Ateng, along with Lira businessman Joseph Ocen, faced the charges at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court before Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro on January 9, 2024.
Allegations of Abuse of Office and Forgery
The prosecution alleges that Ateng abused his office in January 2019 at the Lira lands ministry zonal office by irregularly facilitating the issuance of a special certificate of title, aiming to allocate Uganda Railways’ land at FRV 2020, Folio 13, located at Mukwano road in Lira district. Additionally, on January 17, 2018, at Lira Lands ministry zonal offices, Ateng is accused of falsely representing himself as the managing director of Uganda Railways Corporation. He purportedly signed an application for a special certificate of title and a statutory declaration related to land at FRV 2020, Folio 13 at Mukwano road in Lira.
Forgery and Uttering False Documents
Further charges involve allegations that Ateng and Ocen forged a transfer form for land located at plot 42-50 at Mukwano road in Lira district, claiming it was signed by the managing director of Uganda Railways Corporation, Katebe, with the intent to deceive. They are also accused of forging an application for a special certificate of title for land comprised in FRV 2020, Folio 13 Eruti county, claiming that the application was endorsed by the managing director, Katebe.
Conspiracy to Commit Offence
The prosecution contends that Ateng and Ocen conspired between January 2018 and August 2018 in Kampala and Lira to commit an offense in relation to Uganda Railways Corporation land.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Both Ateng and Ocen denied the charges. Ateng is currently out on bail, while Ocen is in remand at Luzira Prison.
