By Kenneth Wamatoyi
JINJA CITY
The ongoing dispute between Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and Jinja City Council over prime property located at Plot 47, School Lane, has taken a new turn, as the Jinja Security Committee has intervened to halt the eviction of hospital staff.
The resolution came after a closed-door meeting held at the hospital in Jinja City, attended by various city and hospital officials on Wednesday, 12th, February 2025.
The RCC, Gulume Balyaino, the Jinja Security Committee Chairperson directed the Secretary of the City Land Board, Abubaker Kirunda, to withdraw his eviction notice issued on January 14, 2025. Gulume explained that these premises were originally allocated to the hospital by the government of Idi Amin Dada over 50 years ago.
The security team has also summoned Bachu Abdul Aziz, an individual who reportedly purchased the property in 2001, to question the legality of the transaction.
The Documents indicate that the property was sold to Aziz, a resident of Iganga, but he has never utilized the building since acquiring it.
Gulume further revealed that the hospital has taken the necessary steps and written to the Ministry of Finance to formalize the allocation of the facility and secure a land title for it. He assured the public that the premises belong to the hospital, and they are now waiting for official documentation from the concerned authorities. Gulume emphasized that the eviction letters would be retrieved, as they have instructed the Secretary of the Land Board to address the situation.
Dr. David Charles Mukisa, the Hospital Board Chairman, stated that the hospital had engaged with the RCC and city administration, reaching an agreement that favours the hospital.
The building will now be maintained by Jinja Regional Referral Hospital until further instructions are given. He noted that over 10 staff members have been using the facility for accommodation, with the hospital employing over 1,269 staff in total. However, the hospital has only been able to provide accommodation for 320 medical staff, which accounts for approximately 25% of the workforce. Dr. Mukisa added that through the RCC’s intervention, the decision has been made in favor of the hospital, without any discrimination.
Jinja City Town Clerk, Lwanga Edward, clarified that the eviction letter regarding the premises has no basis, as Jinja City has no authority to evict the medical staff. He further explained that regardless of the circumstances, it has been agreed that the eviction letter should be cancelled and retrieved. Lwanga emphasized that there needs to be better collaboration between the Land Board and city authorities to avoid confusion and prevent potential loss to the government.
He assured the public that Jinja’s Land Board would meet next week to discuss the situation and monitor progress. He called on the community to be assured that the building is now designated for use by the hospital and its medical staff.
The property in question was given to Jinja Hospital staff in the 1970s when President Idi Amin Dada expelled Asians from Uganda. Since then, the staff have been occupying it as staff quarters.
Jinja Hospital has several properties that were allocated to them by President Idi Amin, but the hospital management has yet to formalize the ownership of these assets. Among these properties are the one near Nalufenya Children’s Ward, which is in a dilapidated state, and another building on Gabula Road that has not been painted since the 1970s. These conditions have provided an opportunity for unscrupulous land grabbers to target the hospital’s properties.
