Uganda Railways Corporation Gives Land Encroachers Ultimatum to Vacate

By Our Reporter

 

NATIONAL

Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has given all persons and or institutions encroaching on its land an ultimatum to vacate or risk imminent eviction.

 

The ultimatum was given by the Corporation’s Managing Director in a notice issued on 7^th October, 2026, saying the Corporation is set to start forceful evictions on Monday, 12^th October, 2026.

 

The affected Railway corridors are; Kampala-Malaba, Kampala-Port Bell, Kampala-Kasese, Tororo-Gulu, Gulu-Pakwach, the Busoga Loop, Butiaba and Masindi.

 

The eviction notice follows a strongly worded letter written by the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Byamukama Fred on 29^th September, 2026 and addressed to URC Management.

Byamukama in his letter quoted the President as having shown disappointment with URC management because of their reluctance to protect URC land and property across the country.

 

“While in the 10^th Cabinet meeting of 28^th September, 2026, H.E the President expressed concern as to why yourself and the entire Uganda Railways Corporation entity have failed to protect URC Land across the country,” wrote Byamukama in his strongly worded letter addressed to the MD.

 

The Minister reminded the URC Management that the current rehabilitation of the Meter Gauge Railway is competing with people’s activities/infrastructure due to the encroachment.

 

“For the safety of the people and for good progress of our government rehabilitation plans, all those on Railway land should be evicted and all structures demolished,” said Minister Byamukama in his letter to the MD URC.

 

URC STATEMENT

REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL ENCROACHMENT ON URC LAND.

 

Greetings, Uganda.

 

We have all seen a locomotive slowing down for cows to move. We have all seen the massive encroachment along all corridors of the URC reserve land, and so much more.

 

On 12 October 2026, we are commencing a nationwide removal of all illegal encroachment on URC land.

 

1. Kampala-Ndeeba-Natete-Kyengera-Bujuuko up to Kasese
2. Kampala-Kireka-Namboole-Namanve-Mukono-Jinja-Malaba
3. Tororo-Gulu-Pakwach
4. Masindi
5. Arua
6. Busoga line

 

Every illegal structure in URC land is slated for demolition.

 

Owners of titles on URC land will be removed as well, structures demolished and titles cancelled (working with Ministry of Lands).

 

The operations are aimed at providing space for planned works, create space for expansion, create space for greening of the reserve for improved image of the corridor, etc.

 

Please note;

1. URC land along the line is 100ft on either side.
2. At level crossings, it is 70 metres.
3. Reserve land at stations is bigger.

 

All residents along these sections should vacate.

 

Anyone who resists, we have been guided to arrest and prosecute them.

 

Those who have structures that are partly in URC land, we shall demolish those sections too.

 

To all walkers using the railway corridor, we shall also commence arrests. The practice should stop because it puts the walker in danger, displaces the ballast which in turn weakens the lines.