By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has condemned the demolition of homes in areas designated as railway reserves, calling on the government to ensure that efforts to rehabilitate the country’s railway network respect human dignity and provide fair treatment for affected communities.
Speaking on behalf of the party on Wednesday, UPC spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon said the party supports the restoration of Uganda’s railway network but opposes what she described as the inhumane treatment of citizens during the enforcement of railway reserve regulations.
“As a party that believes in nationalism and free, people-centred development, we understand the importance of a functional railway,” Sharon said, noting that rail transport plays a significant role in Uganda’s transport network.
UPC spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon
She referred to a Cabinet meeting held on September 28, 2026, which she said directed the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) to reclaim railway reserves. She also cited the corporation’s announcement of a nationwide operation scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026.
However, Sharon questioned whether adequate notice, consultation and relocation arrangements had been provided to people affected by the exercise.
She particularly criticised the demolitions reportedly carried out in Kyengera on October 19, 2026, describing the scenes as unacceptable and inconsistent with the principles of human dignity.
Sharon said the sight of homes being demolished as mothers and children watched and pleaded for more time to salvage their belongings raised concerns about how the government was implementing the directive.
“This is not enforcement. This is cruelty, and it must be condemned by all Ugandans who believe in human dignity,” she said.
The UPC spokesperson maintained that the objective of restoring railway reserves should not overshadow the welfare of people whose homes and livelihoods are affected by the operation.
Government accountability questioned
UPC head of media and communications Faizo Muzeyi said the party’s position was not opposition to railway rehabilitation but a call for the exercise to be conducted lawfully, responsibly and with consideration for affected communities.
Muzeyi also questioned the government’s role in preventing encroachment on railway reserves, particularly in cases where people may have occupied the land for many years or allegedly obtained land titles through official channels.
He argued that government institutions responsible for land administration should ensure that public land is properly gazetted, clearly identified and protected against unauthorised occupation and transactions.
“Where was the government when these people were constructing buildings on those railway reserves?” Muzeyi asked, questioning how land titles could allegedly have been issued for land subsequently identified as belonging to the government.
He said such circumstances raised questions about coordination and accountability among government agencies responsible for land management.
The party’s concerns highlight the challenge of enforcing railway reserve regulations while addressing questions about land administration, the circumstances under which properties were established and the treatment of people affected by demolitions.
While UPC maintains that railway rehabilitation is necessary, it argues that the exercise should be accompanied by responsible enforcement, clear communication and accountability from the relevant government institutions.
The party’s position places the focus on two issues: the need to protect public land for railway infrastructure and the responsibility of authorities to ensure that enforcement measures are carried out fairly and with respect for human dignity.
