Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Members of Parliament on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure and Works have launched an investigation into alleged encroachment on Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) land in Jinja City, amid concerns over the occupation and possible loss of public railway property.
The committee, led by its chairperson, Mwine Mpaka, is seeking to establish how more than 700 people, including Jinja North MP Hussein Muyonjo, popularly known as Swengere, acquired the contested land, how permanent residential structures were erected and whether the occupants hold legally recognised land titles.
The investigation follows concerns that a substantial portion of railway land may have been allocated to private individuals, raising questions about the role of land administration authorities and the protection of government property.
During an engagement with affected residents in Jinja North Constituency, the legislators were told that most occupants had legally purchased the land and obtained titles, disputing URC's claim to ownership.
Mpaka said the committee had received information implicating the Jinja District Land Board in issuing titles on the disputed government land. However, he said the board had requested more time to verify the authenticity of the documents presented by residents.
"We have been briefed that Jinja District Land Board was involved in giving land titles to encroachers on government land, but when we contacted them, they said they needed more time to verify the authenticity of the claimed land titles. We shall invite them to Kampala to explain. If we find out that they participated in giving out government land, then we shall hold them accountable," Mpaka said.
One of the affected residents, Siraje Bogere, questioned URC's ownership claims, arguing that the government's subsequent compensation of his property under the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project demonstrated that authorities had recognised his ownership.
Bogere said the SGR project had recently compensated him for land that URC now claims belongs to the corporation, an action he believes supports the residents' claims of legal ownership.
Former Mpumudde Division chairperson William Ebusa also questioned URC's continued claim to the property, arguing that the Busoga Railway line was originally granted to railway authorities by the Busoga Kingdom to facilitate the transportation of cotton from different parts of the region.
Ebusa argued that with cotton production in Busoga having declined significantly, government should reconsider its claim to the land and allow residents to continue occupying it.
However, some occupants cautioned Parliament against intervening in the dispute, saying the matter is already before the courts.
Julius Zziwa, an occupant of Plot 59, formerly owned by URC, said the dispute had previously been investigated by the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters, chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, before the parties took the matter to court.
"The Bamugemereire Land Dispute Committee investigated our land at Plot 59 and we went to court. Since 2017, we have been in court with Uganda Railways Corporation, waiting for judgment on this matter," Zziwa said.
He warned that Parliament's investigations should take the ongoing court proceedings into account to avoid interfering with the judicial process.
Bunyole West MP James Waluswaka said the committee would compile its findings and brief President Yoweri Museveni and the leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda on the matter.
Waluswaka also called on government to reconsider its position on the contested land, noting that it had not yet established clear plans for the revitalisation and utilisation of the Busoga railway line.
He questioned the rationale for displacing hundreds of families who had constructed permanent homes on the land, arguing that government should consider relinquishing the property if it has no immediate development plans for it.
Meanwhile, Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Kumakech called for a comprehensive investigation, attributing the alleged loss of public land to weaknesses in land administration and possible collusion between some government officials and land grabbers.
Kumakech said Parliament's intervention was necessary to establish how public land had been allocated to private individuals and ensure that anyone found responsible for irregularities is held accountable.
The inspection comes as government pursues efforts to revitalise railway transport as part of broader plans to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and reduce the cost of transporting goods.
The parliamentary investigation is expected to establish the ownership status of the contested land, the validity of residents' titles and the role of public institutions in the alleged encroachment.
Its findings could also influence future decisions on the protection and management of URC property, particularly as government considers restoring railway infrastructure and services in eastern Uganda.
Source: Nile post
