Ecodu,Pilgrim Africa Dragged to IGG Over alleged illegal land acquisitions , financial misrepresentations

In a Dossier titled Calvin Ecodu & Pilgrim Africa – Alleged Illegal Land Acquisitions and Financial Misconduct, prepared for Relevant Investigative and oversight authorities, Calvin Ecodu and his organization, Pilgrim Africa the petition have been reported to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) for allegedly engaging in a series of illegal land acquisitions and financial misrepresentations in Uganda.

‘’Using the cover of faith-based philanthropy, Mr. Ecodu has manipulated state systems, co-opted local political figures, and exploited donor networks to grab valuable public and institutional land in the Teso sub-region. His operations show signs of organized, mafia-like conduct with serious implications for national integrity, donor confidence, and land justice’’, reads a detailed petition.

In the petition , it is claimed that Ecodu who also resides in seattle, Washington, USA and runs Pilgrim Africa (registered as a U.S. nonprofit and NGO in Uganda) a faith-based development, education, public health, and agricultural programs , despite his public philanthropic posture, operates without any verifiable commercial enterprise in Uganda or the U.S. that would justify his wealth, land interests, or political influence.

‘’Pilgrim Africa, the organization he heads, has become a vehicle for land speculation and patronage politics under the disguise of charity’’.

BELOW ARE THE ALLEGATIONS

Land Grabbing in Teso Sub-Region

Soroti Golf Course Land

Acquired through informal and irregular procedures.
Local authorities were allegedly coerced or bribed.
The acquisition bypassed public consultations and compensatory requirements.
No development matching the scale of the land has taken place, raising questions about the real intent.

UBC External Broadcasting Land (209+ Acres)

This land formerly belonged to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
Sources within UBC and Soroti District indicate the land was appropriated without formal transfer from the parent body.
Transactions were allegedly facilitated by officials who received financial inducements.

iii. Arapai Subcounty and Soroti University Land (formerly Teso College Aloet)

An attempted encroachment on land reserved for the newly created Soroti University of Science and Technology.
Documents show Mr. Ecodu’s organization attempted to claim the land through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) never sanctioned by the Ministry of Education or the Uganda Land Commission.

Katakwi District Land Scandal (12,009 Acres)

One of the most controversial land takeovers.
Land allegedly earmarked for resettlement and public use was fraudulently reallocated to Pilgrim Africa.
Local community leaders claim they were not consulted, and district leaders acted against due process.
This has sparked inter-clan tensions and disputes with pastoralist communities.

Lack of Verifiable Business Activity

Mr. Ecodu owns no known businesses in Uganda that employ Ugandans or contribute to the tax base.
In the U.S., the Seattle-based office of Pilgrim Africa is registered as a religious non-profit.
Public financial disclosures (IRS Form 990) show that most funding is from donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, but with limited clarity on fund utilization.
No transparent reporting is available in Uganda despite operating large land projects and receiving local and international funding.

Misuse of Donor Funds and Political Patronage

Intelligence from within NGO monitoring bodies and former Pilgrim Africa employees indicates:
A large portion of donor funds is directed towards cultivating political influence and shielding illicit land deals.
Payments to district officials, security operatives, and religious figures are routine.
There is little traceable expenditure on education, health, or agriculture projects proportional to received funds.
Misrepresentation to Donors:

Pilgrim Africa reports itself as delivering large-scale humanitarian relief and education projects in Uganda. However, visits to purported project sites in Amuria, Katakwi, and Soroti show minimal or no operations. Donors may be unknowingly financing political operations and land accumulation.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

Violation of Uganda Land Act & Public Lands Act

The mode of acquisition violates provisions requiring community consent, gazetting of public land transactions, and Parliamentary oversight for institutional land transfers.

Abuse of NGO Registration

Pilgrim Africa operates as a foreign-funded NGO but lacks transparency on spending in Uganda, contrary to NGO Board guidelines.

Misrepresentation & Fraud

Ecodu’s use of donor funds under false pretenses may constitute wire fraud, money laundering, and donor misrepresentation under U.S. and Ugandan law.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INVESTIGATION
Comprehensive Land Audit of all properties acquired by Pilgrim Africa or Calvin Ecodu in Uganda.
Forensic Audit of Finances – Both in Uganda and Seattle – to determine sources and uses of funds.
Interrogation of Involved Officials – Including district land boards, CAOs, RDCs, and former UBC personnel.
Suspension of Land Titles under dispute until ownership and acquisition process is verified.
Engagement with Donors such as the Gates Foundation to apprise them of potential misuse and encourage tighter due diligence.

CONCLUSION

Calvin Ecodu and Pilgrim Africa present a case study in how faith-based NGOs can be used as a front for land speculation, financial manipulation, and political influence peddling. A prompt, impartial, and wide-ranging investigation is essential to recover public land, restore donor trust, and uphold accountability in Uganda’s development and land governance framework.

We could not get Calvin Ecodu and Pilgrim Africa by press time .