The government has constituted a high-level multisectoral committee chaired by the National Planning Authority (NPA) to urgently resolve the long-running dispute over a proposed access road affecting land occupied by Phaneroo Ministries International and the construction site of the Uganda Heart Institute in Naguru, Kampala.
The decision follows a high-level meeting held at the UHI construction site in Naguru, chaired by the State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs (Litigation),
Hon. Charles Ayume, amid renewed tensions over the alignment and purpose of the planned road under the broader Naguru Medical Hub Development Masterplan.
Committee Mandate and Timeline
According to the resolutions, the newly formed committee will review key technical and policy concerns surrounding the disputed road corridor and is expected to conclude its work within one week.
The committee has been tasked to:
- Reassess the proposed road designs, particularly in relation to the intended function of the road and the disputed section of land
- Consider the interests of neighbouring institutions and stakeholders likely to be affected by the infrastructure plan
- Examine whether the Uganda Heart Institute can adjust its generator systems in an environmentally friendly way to minimise impact on surrounding properties
The committee will present its findings to the State Minister of Health on Friday at 10:00 a.m. next week.
Background to the Dispute
The dispute between Phaneroo Ministries and the Uganda Heart Institute has been building for several years, centred on access routes within the Naguru redevelopment area—land earmarked by government for a specialised medical hub.
According to earlier reports, the Uganda Heart Institute—Uganda’s national referral facility for cardiovascular care—has been constructing a major cardiac hospital in Naguru aimed at expanding capacity for surgeries, intensive care, and training of specialists. As part of its design, the institute has insisted on multiple access roads, including emergency routes to ensure uninterrupted patient flow.
However, portions of the proposed road network reportedly pass through or adjacent to land occupied by Phaneroo Ministries, a rapidly growing religious organisation led by Apostle Grace Lubega.
The ministry maintains that it legally acquired its land and has consistently argued that any infrastructure development affecting it must follow due process, including fair consultation and compensation where necessary.
Earlier Mediation Efforts
Government-led mediation has been ongoing since at least early 2025, involving institutions such as the Ministry of Lands, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Uganda Land Commission, and the NPA.
Previous joint statements issued by both Phaneroo Ministries and UHI have emphasised that there is no breakdown in relations, but rather “constructive engagement” under government coordination.
At various points, tensions have flared publicly, with concerns raised about whether the road design could compromise emergency access to the hospital. The Heart Institute has previously stressed that uninterrupted access is critical for life-saving cardiac emergencies, while Phaneroo has insisted that its members’ property rights must be respected.
Government Position
Former Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng had repeatedly called for dialogue, stressing the national importance of the Uganda Heart Institute project and urging all stakeholders to prioritise public health infrastructure while respecting lawful property rights.
Officials involved in the current process say the latest intervention aims to eliminate technical ambiguity in the road design and reconcile competing land-use interests before construction proceeds further.
What Happens Next
The committee’s findings, expected within a week, will be submitted to the State Minister of Health for further government action. The outcome is likely to determine whether the road alignment is adjusted, relocated, or implemented with modifications to accommodate all affected parties.
For now, construction work at the Naguru medical hub continues under close government supervision as negotiations proceed.
The dispute remains one of the most closely watched urban infrastructure and land-use conflicts in Kampala, given its intersection of public health priorities, urban planning, and private land rights.
