Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced a nationwide operation to remove illegal structures and other forms of encroachment from its land along major railway corridors, beginning October 12, 2026.
The corporation said the operation will cover several railway routes, including the Kampala–Ndeeba–Natete–Kyengera–Bujuuko corridor extending to Kasese; Kampala–Kireka–Namboole–Namanve–Mukono–Jinja–Malaba; Tororo–Gulu–Pakwach; and railway corridors in Masindi, Arua and Busoga.
“Every illegal structure in URC land is slated for demolition,” URC said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The corporation said the exercise is intended to recover railway reserve land needed for planned railway works and future expansion, as well as create space for greening and improving the appearance of railway corridors.
URC also warned that structures built on railway land will be removed even where their owners hold land titles.
“Owners of titles on URC land will be removed as well, structures demolished and titles cancelled,” the corporation said, adding that the process would be undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands.
URC said its railway reserve extends 100 feet on either side of the railway line, while the reserve at level crossings extends 70 metres. It added that railway stations have larger reserves.
“All residents along these sections should vacate,” URC said.
The corporation further warned that people who resist the operation could be arrested and prosecuted.
URC said the demolition exercise would also affect structures that only partly occupy railway reserve land.
“Those who have structures that are partly in URC land, we shall demolish those sections too,” it said.
The announcement comes amid longstanding concerns over encroachment on railway reserves, including the construction of buildings and other structures close to active railway lines.
URC also announced measures targeting people who use railway corridors as walking routes.
“To all walkers using the railway corridor, we shall also commence arrests,” the corporation said, warning that walking along the railway line exposes people to danger and damages railway infrastructure.
According to URC, pedestrians walking along the railway corridor displace ballast—the crushed rock supporting railway tracks—which can weaken the railway line.
“The practice should stop because it puts the walker in danger, displaces the ballast which in turn weakens the lines,” the corporation said.
The planned operation comes as Uganda seeks to rehabilitate and expand its railway infrastructure, with railway reserves required to accommodate existing operations as well as future development.
URC did not provide details on how affected occupants would be notified or whether any relocation arrangements would be made before the demolitions begin.
The corporation urged residents and other occupants along the listed railway corridors to vacate the reserves ahead of the October 12 operation.
