Former Ibanda District CAO, and District Environment Officer, have been sentenced to 18 months in prison for selling 13 acres of protected government forest land.
The convicted are Abert Matsiko Mutwingire, the former CAO and Tom Nuwagira, the former District Environment Officer.
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court found both guilty of abusing their offices by authorizing the illegal sale of part of the Ibanda Local Forest Reserve.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, who presided over the case, condemned the officials for violating public trust and undermining environmental protection efforts.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered them to pay UGX 10.7 million in restitution.
The ruling follows an investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which uncovered the illegal land sale.
Prosecutors said the officials knowingly sold the forest land to private individuals despite its status as a protected reserve.
This case is part of a broader push by the Anti-Corruption Unit to crack down on public officials who misuse their positions for personal gain.
