In a significant breakthrough, The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, and the Honorable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, have successfully mediated a long-standing land dispute between the Uganda Muslim Community and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. This resolution comes as a symbol of cooperation and understanding between the two parties, who have grappled with this issue since a court ruling in 2009.
The roots of this conflict trace back to a 2009 court decision, which ruled in favor of Jinja RRH, granting the hospital rights over a 4.6-acre piece of land. Following the ruling, a perimeter wall was constructed around the land to secure it, with Jinja RRH intending to protect its premises and uphold public health standards.
However, the construction of this perimeter wall had an unintended consequence: it cut off the Uganda Muslim Community’s access to an adjacent cemetery. This access restriction raised both religious and socio-cultural concerns within the community, given the significance of the cemetery as a sacred space for Muslim burial rites.
After years of negotiations and deliberations, both parties, guided by the principles of coexistence and mutual respect, have arrived at an amicable solution. The key element of the resolution is the allocation of a 0.5-acre piece of the land to the Muslim community. This easement will enable access to the cemetery, allowing the community to continue their religious and cultural practices without further obstacles.
Initially, the option of constructing an access road leading to the cemetery was considered. However, the necessary standard dimensions for a roadway would have required significantly more space, which would have reduced the hospital’s usable land area. Thus, ceding a smaller portion of land—a 0.5-acre easement—was seen as the more practical and balanced solution that would fulfill the needs of both parties without impacting the hospital’s operations.
The process now moves to the practical implementation of the agreement. The boundaries of the 0.5-acre plot will be clearly marked and demarcated, and this portion will be officially separated from Jinja RRH’s title deed. The Ministry of Lands has committed to overseeing the subdivision process, ensuring it aligns with legal standards and is executed with transparency.
With this arrangement, both the Uganda Muslim Community and Jinja RRH hope to put an end to a decade-long conflict. This resolution represents a positive step towards harmony and mutual respect, highlighting the government’s dedication to fostering cooperation among different communities in Uganda.
This success underscores the collaborative efforts of Hon. Dr. Jane Aceng and Hon. Judith Nabakooba, who have worked tirelessly to mediate a resolution that respects the cultural and religious needs of the Uganda Muslim Community while upholding the operational interests of Jinja RRH. Their commitment reflects the broader values of the NRM government in promoting unity and inclusion.