Cabinet Mandates URC to Clear Railway Land of Encroachers

In a significant move to pave the way for extensive railway network upgrades, the Ugandan Cabinet has issued a directive for the immediate eviction of all encroachers from railway land. This order, which has received the endorsement of President Yoweri Museveni, also mandates the demolition of any illegal structures erected on railway reserves across the country.

The decision was formalized during the 10th Cabinet meeting on September 28, 2026. Subsequently, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, formally instructed the Managing Director of Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) on September 29 to implement the directive without delay.

President Museveni had previously expressed strong concern regarding the persistent encroachment on railway land, noting that despite decades of demarcation, weaknesses in land protection had allowed private activities to proliferate. The Cabinet’s resolution aims to enhance public safety and facilitate the government’s ambitious plans for railway rehabilitation.

To assist in re-establishing clear boundaries, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development will provide surveyors from its zonal offices. The URC will no longer lease its land for private investments as the government increases its commitment to revitalizing the nation’s railway infrastructure.

This directive aligns with ongoing efforts to revive Uganda’s 1,266-kilometer metre-gauge railway network, much of which has been dormant. Approximately $301 million has been secured from the African Development Bank Group for the rehabilitation of the Kampala-Malaba corridor, a project valued at over Shs1.1 trillion. This initiative will also include securing and cleaning railway corridors in densely populated areas like Kampala, Wakiso, and Jinja, where encroachment is particularly severe. URC plans to clear and fence key sections to prevent further unauthorized occupation.

Recent reports indicated over 24,653 cases of encroachment on railway land, with some land titles reportedly misplaced. The government is also undertaking the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu line, a 375-kilometer stretch that has been out of service for over 30 years. The restoration of these lines is expected to reduce road traffic, lower cargo transport costs, and significantly increase rail freight capacity.