Kamwenge Faces Major Displacement as Railway Land Reclamation Begins

Over 500 households and business operators in Kamwenge Town Council are facing displacement as the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) prepares to launch a major land reclamation exercise. The operation, scheduled to begin on October 26, affects more than 300 residential households and roughly 200 commercial ventures that have long occupied the railway corridor.

Local authorities confirmed that the sweep will also impact community institutions, including Kamwenge Railway Primary School and several churches. The railway line in question was originally opened in 1956 to transport goods such as copper from Kilembe Mines. Following the suspension of railway operations in 1998, large portions of the reserve were gradually settled by residents and entrepreneurs.

Kamwenge Town Clerk Wilber Mucunguzi stated that the local administration received official notification regarding the reclamation. He noted that residents had previously been cautioned against settling on the protected corridor back in 2022, though many failed to heed the warnings.

While town council leaders emphasize the necessity of recovering encroached public infrastructure, they are also urging the central government to show compassion. Town Council Speaker Richard Mugisha pointed out that some families have lived on the contested land for over four decades and will struggle to find alternative shelter and commercial premises on short notice.

As the deadline approaches, affected families and traders are scrambling to secure new locations while appealing for official intervention to cushion the blow of the displacement.

Read the original report on Nile Post.