Jinja City is facing a potential land scandal after reports emerged that a public road in Masese II, commonly known as the Soweto slum, was allegedly sold to a private developer.
The matter has prompted the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, to order an immediate investigation.
The issue came to light during a Cities Alliance Programme event, where over 60 land titles were handed to Masese II residents.
Locals raised concerns over what they described as the “illegal sale” of a public access road that had served the community since the 1960s.
“Honourable Minister, you have given us land titles, but we have no road to pass,” one resident said. “We now have to take longer routes just because Council authorities sold our road.”
Mutyaba John, a lifelong resident, added: “I used this road in 1991 to go to school, but I was shocked in 2023 when it was blocked and fenced off. Now our children are forced to walk much longer distances.”
The disputed road, historically used by workers of the defunct Kilembe Mines quarters, is shown in official city maps as a public route.
When questioned, Jinja City Planner Charles Nampendho explained that a private developer presented a land title allegedly issued in 1996 for Plot 17B Tabingwa Road.
“I joined Jinja City Council in 2017, and under obligation to protect the physical plan of the City without altering anything, I could not dispute a title issued in 1996,” Nampendho said.
He added that the Council has previously lost court cases when attempting to block similar developments.
Minister Magyezi expressed alarm over what he termed a growing trend of selling public land and roads.
“It is insane for a government official to give away public land,” he said.
He has directed the Resident City Commissioner, Richard Gulume, to investigate and submit a detailed report within one week.
The minister also noted reports of other degazetted roads, including Kisira Road, allegedly handed over under questionable circumstances.
As investigations proceed, residents hope that government intervention will restore their right of way and ensure accountability.
The Cities Alliance project, designed to improve land tenure security for slum dwellers through official land titles, risks being overshadowed by these allegations, raising concerns over transparency and governance in Jinja’s land management system.