Okwir Joel, a prominent businessman from Lira City, was released on bail by Lira Magistrate Court after being arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) on charges of attempting to fraudulently acquire a forest reserve land title.
Okwir, 48, was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attempt to procure a leasehold certificate for a piece of forest reserve land located at Railways Quarters ‘A’ in Lira.
According to the charges, between December 2020 and September 2021, Okwir and others still at large attempted to fraudulently obtain a leasehold title for land designated as part of the forest reserve at Railways Quarters ‘A’ village in the Railway Division of Lira Municipality.
He was accused of submitting false documents, including a purported minute extract from a physical planning committee meeting, which falsely indicated approval of his application. The meeting was dated December 20, 2019, but the approval was not genuine.
Okwir, who previously served as the chairperson of the area land committee for Railway Division in the former Lira Municipality (before it became a city), is alleged to have used his influence to submit land application forms claiming to be the customary owner of the land, despite the fact that the land was part of the forest reserve as per the urban development plan for Lira City.
On March 7, 2025, Okwir appeared before Lira Magistrate Court, where he was charged with attempted felony, uttering false documents, and making false documents. His arrest was carried out by a competent team from SHACU earlier that morning. During the court hearing, Okwir denied all the charges before Magistrate Her Worship (HW) Kampire Sylivie.
Okwir’s lawyer, Geoffrey Opige, presented two sureties, Awor Benna and Abura Walter, who are close relatives of the accused. Awor Benna, Okwir’s biological daughter, resides in Baronger Central village, Baronger parish, Lira City.
Abura Walter, a 39-year-old man, also hails from Baronger Central village, Railways parish, Lira City. The court found their sureties to be substantial and released Okwir on a non-cash bail of 5 million UGX, with each surety ordered to pay a non-cash bail of 10 million UGX.
The court also directed that the sureties ensure Okwir’s return to court when his case is next mentioned on March 20, 2025.
