Tensions flared in Jinja on Monday as police deployed tear gas to disperse health workers who had staged a sit-down strike to protest the planned giveaway of part of the hospital land to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for development.
The contested land, located along Clive Road West next to Jinja Hospital and Bax Road, has been a bone of contention between the Muslim community and the land commission for years. The Muslim community has utilized the land as a cemetery since 1927.
Health workers, armed with placards, stormed the hospital gates to voice their dissent against the allocation of land to the Muslim community, citing a court ruling by Jinja High Court Judge Justice Eribu in favor of the hospital, halting all activities on the four-acre piece in 2024. Despite the court ruling, district authorities allegedly allowed Muslim activities to continue on the disputed land.
“Justice Eribu ruled on April 4th, 2024, that the land adjacent to Jinja Hospital rightfully belongs to the hospital. He issued decrees ordering all activities on that land to cease. However, it is regrettable that the Regional Police Commander (RPC) and Resident District Commissioner (RCC) have allowed land grabbers to encroach upon hospital property unchecked.” said Samuel Kasibante one of the hospital staff
David Semakula, the Jinja administrator, stated that the staff sought a peaceful demonstration over the contested land due to dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation. Following the intervention of police, tear gas was eventually halted, and a meeting was convened at the Resident District Commissioner’s (RCC) office to address the matter involving all stakeholders. The hospital is expected to issue a formal communication following the meeting.
“The staff aimed to conduct a peaceful demonstration regarding the disputed land between the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and the Uganda Land Commission (ULC). The situation has now been brought under control, and there is currently a security meeting ongoing at the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RCC). We will release an official statement following the conclusion of this meeting. The police deployed tear gas to manage the situation, but the District Police Commander (DPC) intervened promptly to cease the use of tear gas,” he said.
In February 2024, State Minister for Lands Dr. Sam Mayanja handed over the disputed land to the Jinja Muslim community.
Minister Judith Nabakooba addressed the ongoing wrangles over the land on Monday at the Uganda Media Center, stating that discussions had taken place between her and Deputy Minister Mayanja. They resolved to summon all stakeholders involved in the matter, with Deputy Minister Mayanja taking the lead. Nabakooba said she awaits a report from Mayanja before guiding on the way forward.