national 7 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
URC to Demolish Structures, Cancel Titles on Railway Reserve Starting October 12
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) will commence a nationwide operation on October 12 to clear all illegal encroachments on its land, demolish unauthorized structures, and cancel irregularly issued land titles. This action follows a direct directive from Cabinet aimed at reclaiming the railway corridor for modernization projects. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/urc-sets-october-12-enforcement-date-to-demolish-structures-cancel-illegal-titles-on-railway-reserve-5623754
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced a firm deadline of October 12, 2026, for the nationwide removal of all illegal structures and occupants from its reserve land. This decisive action is in response to a directive from a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, aimed at reclaiming the railway corridor for crucial modernization efforts.
URC Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. Linnon Ssengendo, highlighted the critical need for this operation, stating, “We have all seen the massive encroachment along all corridors of the URC reserve land. The question we must now answer is: do we want a railway or not? You cannot run passenger trains at 80km/h through people’s sitting rooms.”
The enforcement will cover major railway lines across the country, including the western stretch to Kasese, the eastern line to Malaba, the northern route to Pakwach, and various branch lines. The operation will not spare those holding formal land titles within the reserve; such titles will be cancelled, and structures demolished in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands.
Much of the encroachment occurred when the railway network was largely inactive, leading to the proliferation of markets, schools, and rental properties along the tracks. URC clarified that the reserve land extends 100 feet from the center line, widening in specific areas.
Security agencies have been instructed to ensure compliance, with severe consequences for resistance. The operation will also target pedestrians who use the railway tracks, a practice that poses a significant safety risk and damages the infrastructure. This crackdown is essential for the planned $1.2 billion rehabilitation of the meter-gauge network and future Standard Gauge Railway preparations, which require unobstructed access.
URC has conducted sensitization meetings and served formal notices to local leaders and affected communities. While compensation for illegal structures is not planned, resettlement options for vulnerable households may be explored in collaboration with local governments. Occupants are urged to remove their belongings before the enforcement date.