MPs to probe businessman Kirumira over URC land

KAMPALA, July 31, 2026 – Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure is set to question businessman Godfrey Kirumira over a 1.3-acre piece of land in Kampala that belongs to Uganda Railways Corporation [ URC ].

The matter emerged when the committee, chaired by Mwine Mpaka, met URC officials led by Managing Director Benon Kajuna to examine concerns over missing railway wagons, disputed railway land, procurement and staff training at the corporation.

The meeting was held on Thursday.

The disputed land is located directly opposite the Uganda Railways headquarters in Kampala, near Victoria University.

Kajuna told the committee that the property was originally leased by the then Kampala District Land Board to Kampala City Council [KCC] for 99 years in 2000.

He said that on June 1, 2006, KCC granted a five-year lease over the property to Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited.

According to Kajuna, the company subsequently sought to convert the lease into a 99-year interest, but the process was not completed after a caveat was lodged against the property in 2012.

“There was an intention to extend the interest to 99 years, but this did not happen. On April 27, 2012, a caveat was lodged over the property before completion of the proposed extension,” Kajuna said.

However, Mpaka challenged the explanation, saying the committee had conducted its own investigations and established that Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited currently holds a 99-year lease over the property.

“We did a search as a committee yesterday and he (Kirumira) actually has 99 years on this land, and he is MS Philadelphia,” Mpaka said.

Mpaka added that a search conducted with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau [URSB] showed that Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited is owned by members of the Kirumira family.

Kirumira is the Honorary Consul of Namibia in Uganda.

The committee is expected to summon Kirumira to explain his company’s interest in the property and the circumstances under which it acquired the lease.

URC raises wider land concerns

On the broader issue of land management, Kajuna said URC had repeatedly written to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development seeking the return of land titles retained following the privatisation process, but had not received a response.

He said the corporation could be compelled to apply for special certificates of title using the documentation available to it if the matter remains unresolved.

Kajuna said URC was also taking measures to protect its land, including boundary reopening, title migration, re-surveys and legal action against holders of illegal titles.

He revealed that more than 24,600 cases of encroachment had been identified along railway corridors.

The corporation says resolving land ownership and encroachment disputes is critical to protecting its assets and securing railway corridors for future development.

https://thecooperator.news/govt-urged-to-revive-railway-network-in-teso-subregion/

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