Parliamentary Committee to Grill Businessman Over Alleged Grab of Uganda Railways Land

A company reportedly linked to prominent businessman Godfrey Kirumira is under scrutiny by the Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure for allegedly taking possession of prime land owned by the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC).

The issue surfaced during a meeting between the committee, chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, and URC officials, including Managing Director Benon Kajuna. The discussion, held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, also addressed concerns about missing railway wagons and general land management issues within URC.

The disputed land, measuring 1.3 acres, is situated directly opposite Victoria University, adjacent to URC headquarters in Kampala. URC officials presented that the land was initially leased by the Kampala District Land Board to Kampala City Council (KCC) for 99 years in 2000. KCC subsequently granted a five-year lease to Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited in 2006.

According to Kajuna, Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited later sought to extend its lease to 99 years, but this process was reportedly never finalized due to a caveat placed on the property in 2012.

However, Hon. Mwine Mpaka challenged this account, stating that the committee’s independent investigations, including a search with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), indicated that Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited, owned by members of the Kirumira family, currently holds a 99-year lease on the property. The committee plans to summon Kirumira for further clarification.

Regarding broader land management, Kajuna highlighted that URC has formally requested the Ministry of Finance to return land titles held since a privatization process, but has yet to receive a response. The corporation is considering applying for special certificates of title if the issue remains unresolved. URC also identified over 24,600 encroachment cases along railway corridors and plans measures like boundary reopening and surveys to protect its assets. Recent government investments totaling over Shs200 billion aim to rehabilitate the metre gauge railway and its rolling stock to improve services and restore confidence in rail transport.