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Locals given 30 days to return stolen railway equipment

25 August 2026, 9:41 am

A section of railway line from Lira-Kole district.

By Winnie Auma

Locals living along the Lira-Gulu railway line have been given a 30-day ultimatum to hand over railway equipment allegedly taken from the railway reserve.The directive was issued by Daniel Okola, the supervisor from China Road and Bridge Corporation, during an inspection of the Lira-Gulu railway line on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Okola warned residents keeping railway sleepers and rails in their homes to voluntarily hand them over to their local leaders.Okola says the railway team will work with local leaders and police to conduct operations in homes along the railway line and recover the materials.

He warns that anyone found with the railway equipment could face the law.

Okola urges locals to voluntarily handover railway sleepers and rails to their leaders.

Waiswa Noah, the Assistant Permanent Railway Inspector at Uganda Railways Corporation, urged residents to embrace the railway rehabilitation project, which is expected to be completed by October, saying the return of train services will boost business and ease the transportation of goods.

Waiswa speaks to locals at Anekapiri market during the sensitisation campaign.

Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of the Railways Police Station, Dickens Opio Ogobi, says police have already carried out extensive sensitization of communities ahead of the return of train services.Opio has urged residents to stop stealing railway equipment and keep the railway line clear to allow smooth operations.

The Alito Town Council, LC3 Chairperson Benedict Obote welcomed the rehabilitation of the railway line, saying it will provide local residents with an opportunity to transport and sell their goods across the country and beyond.

Obote has encouraged residents to improve their businesses and prepare for the expected increase in economic activity.

Several residents, business owners and local leaders have welcomed the development, expressing excitement about the return of railway services, with some saying they have not seen a train operating in their area for many years.

The Uganda Railways Corporation and police team made several stopovers at trading centres and markets along the Lira-Alito route during the inspection.The team later camped at Anekapiri Market before returning to Lira Railway Station in Lira City East Division.