Businessman Kirumira in trouble over disputed Uganda Railway land

What the report says

Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is facing questions over a 1.3-acre plot in Kampala after a Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure heard claims that a company linked to businessman Godfrey Kirumira had taken possession of the land. The issue came up during a Thursday, 30 July 2026 meeting between the committee, chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, and URC officials led by Managing Director Benon Kajuna. The session was part of wider scrutiny of missing railway wagons, disputed land, procurement and training concerns at the corporation.

According to Watchdog Uganda, the land lies in front of URC headquarters opposite Victoria University. Kajuna told the committee the property was originally leased in 2000 and later given a five-year lease in 2006 to Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited. He said an attempt to convert that lease into a longer interest was not completed after a caveat was lodged in 2012.

Mpaka disputed that account, saying the committee’s own checks suggested Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited holds a 99-year lease and that the company is associated with the Kirumira family. He said the committee plans to meet Kirumira over the matter. URC also said it has repeatedly sought the return of land titles retained after privatisation and is considering steps such as boundary reopening, title migration and action against illegal titles.

Kajuna added that railway encroachment remains a broader challenge, with more than 24,600 cases identified along rail corridors. He also pointed to government spending on railway rehabilitation and safety upgrades, which URC says are meant to improve freight, passenger service and public confidence in rail transport.