Wakiso District Local Government has commenced investigations into alleged widespread wetland degradation in Katabi, Bwerenga, Kasenyi and Kajjansi, amid accusations of corruption, extortion and abuse of office against an environmental officer attached to the area.
At the centre of the investigations is Nicholas Mugabi, the environmental officer responsible for Kajjansi. The allegations against him are contained in a petition submitted to Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara on August 27, 2026, by Joseph Kazibwe, a resident and businessman in Kajjansi, Katabi Town Council.
In a letter dated September 16, 2026, Wakiso District Chief Administrative Officer Bukenya Jude Mark directed the Wakiso District Planner to appear before Parliamentary Police to assist with the investigations.
“You are required to come with all the relevant documents related to the investigations,” Bukenya said.
The Wakiso District Planner subsequently appeared before Parliamentary Police on September 21, 2026, as directed.
In his petition, Kazibwe said residents of the area, which is largely low-lying and borders a swamp, frequently experience flooding during rainy seasons. He attributed the continued degradation of the wetlands to alleged collusion between environmental enforcement officers, town clerks and police officers.
“I am a resident of a resident of Kajjansi, Katabi Town Council, a business man in the area where I was born and lived for over 20 years. This area is majorly a low-lying area bordering a swamp and the residents are most times affected by floods especially during rainy seasons. For the time I have spent in this area, I have observed massive corruption in the area, largely geared by environmental enforcement officers attached to this area in collaboration with town clerks and police. Hon Minister, a case in point is Mr Mugabi Nicholas, who is the Environmental officer attached attached to katabi and kajjansi town council. The above Mugabi Nicholas who is in charge of protecting the environment has turned it a habit of conniving with environmental degraders, by extorting money from them to allow them build in wetlands. If anybody is uncooperative with him, he confiscates all construction materials and takes them to his home, sells most of them and keeps some of them with the town clerk at Kajjansi Town council A case in point, the said Mugabi Nicholas took two car batteries belonging to a one Kazibwe Joseph c/o tell 0747281342 from his factory and kept them with town clerk until he paid him 300,000 through his guard and he is still demanding more 200,000 from him. The said Mugabi Nicholas also solicited for 1,000,000 from Mr Walusimbi John c/ o tel 0753593961 to allow him continue constructing. When he failed to raise the said amount, his construction materials were also impounded and sold,” part of Kazibwe’s petition reads.
Kazibwe further alleged that Mugabi issued notices against people carrying out construction in the area and withdrew them after receiving money.
“He issues threatening notices and when you pay him, he immediately withdraws and allows construction to proceed. Hon Minister, there are so many other people around kajjansi-katabi area who have suffered the corruption of the said Mugabi Nicholas but have nowhere to report him because the man is untouchable, he has full support of the Chief Administrative Officer of Wakiso District and police. As a result of his corrupt operating methods, this area has been heavily degraded and it is us the dwellers suffering the effect.”
He said attempts to seek intervention from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit had not yielded results.
“Several people like John Owinyi Mukisa, C/O Tel 0759143657/0772460867 who is a resident of this area reported him to police, state House Anti-corruption unit, but nothing is done yet citizens continue to suffer in the hands of Nicholas Mugabi who claims to be a very big person in this country,” Kazibwe added.
The petition also contains allegations of torture and unlawful detention. Residents claim Mugabi operated holding facilities where brickmakers and other workers were detained until they paid money or complied with his demands.
“He has his cells where he detains brickmakers until you pay him. This place his where he tortures people, and stores our impounded wheelbarrows and other working tools,” said Ntale Wasswa.
Wasswa said he was allegedly tortured after working in the area and accused police of failing to record his complaint.
“I was tortured for working here. I went to police but I haven’t got any help. They declined to take our statement,” said Ntale.
Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire appealed to alleged victims to report their complaints to the regional police office in Nateete if they believe their cases were not handled properly at Kajjansi.
“Nateete where the region is can look into their matter and have all the files consolidated and investigated at once. If you were tortured, that is a case of assault. You can still report the matter to the Region for further investigations,” Owoyesigyire said.
Meanwhile, alleged victims of Mugabi’s actions continue to appeal to Minister Balaam Barugahara to intervene.
“Minister Balaam, come and help us. He (Mugabi) asks for Money yet he doesn’t return our impounded work tools,” said Lulibe Wilberforce.
