Health minister advises Uganda Heart Institute, Phaneroo, on Naguru land conflict

KAMPALA - Government has advised the management of Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) and Phaneroo International Ministries to dialogue over a contested piece of land in the upscale neighbourhood of Naguru.

The row has ignited public debate over national priorities between healthcare and spiritual worship.

“That issue has been brought to my attention. The best is for the two sides to sit down and negotiate because as a country, we need the Uganda Heart Institute all of us. Even those who pray from there need the Uganda Heart Institute, and Uganda Heart Institute is only requesting for a small piece of land, which is actually on their side, to set up a critical infrastructure area,” Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng told New Vision.

She advised on Friday, April 10th, shortly after exiting a Ministerial Policy Statement (MPS) 2026/27 engagement with the House Committee on Health, chaired by Dr. Joseph Ruyonga (Hoima West, NRM).

“Personally, I think the Church understands that, it is not disadvantaging the church, but they need to have it there…We also need to sit and discuss the issue of noise because that is a heart institute and heart patients, you know, they need quiet. You cannot tamper with the heart. So, we have a church nearby, we will find a solution to the problem,” she added.

Her comments were directed at concerns that had earlier been raised by Bukomansimbi North Member of Parliament Dr. Christine Ndiwalana (NUP).

“Last Tuesday, the Heart Institute was here, and it stated that Apostle Lubega’s Phaneroo Ministries had obstructed the construction, and they have kind of grabbed a piece of land in Naguru….” Ndiwalana raised.

Heart Institute speaks out 

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during the committee’s interaction with a delegation from the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) officials led by the facility’s Executive Director Dr. John Omagino, appearing accused Phaneroo leadership of denying them access to a portion of land they intended to install generators to power their 10-acre facility in Naguru.

“Suppliers of these generators, which remain installed, are demanding for payment. I called the PS (Permanent Secretary) of Lands, Okalany (Dorcus) and told her we are stuck,” Omagino disclosed.

“So, she (Okalany) is again involving her surveyors, but we need right of way sorted out, and the works ministry has to come on board to do their evaluation on excavations. For us, we want vacant possession to move on,” he added.

Nakawa-Naguru estate history

The contested piece of land forms part of what used to be known as Nakawa–Naguru estate, which had been leased in 2007 to an investor, OPEC Prime, to develop a satellite city.

However, after the project failed to take off, Government terminated the public-private partnership (PPP) in 2018 and had the land repossessed by the Uganda Land Commission (ULC).

Which, under the Land Act of 1998 and the Land Acquisition Act of 1965, is authorised to hold, lease and sell public land. Shortly afterwards, the commission again reallocated portions of the land to a new set of developers, including Phaneroo, Seven Hills Apartments Ltd and Arab Oil Supplies and Exploration Ltd, among others, albeit amid controversy.

Around the same time, on October 14, 2020, President Yoweri Museveni, in a letter to Beatrice Nyakaisiki, the then Chairperson of ULC, directed that Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) be given ten acres to set up a cardiac centre of excellence.

In the partitioning of the land, Omagino said they were compelled to cede 0.89 acres of their land, which had been designated for a generator powerhouse, to create an access route.

In the process, a portion of Phaneroo’s land was cut off. However, Omagino told MPs that they later realised there was residual land that could still be put to use. The challenge, however, was that it had initially been included in the church’s title.

“Land Commission visited the site, and they realised it was a point and they went ahead and gave the allocation to UHI,” he revealed.

“But Phaneroo objected. Saying for us, we cannot release that place once compensated. So, we said fine, so we called the Land Commission to this effect, and the Land Commission wrote to the Ministry of Lands to do the valuation, a copy of the letter is here, chair….. When the Land Commission wrote that, they asked us to work with their surveyor and have this done. Phaneroo instead objected, insisting they want compensation before they can allow us access to the site,” Omagino explained.

Phaneroo responds

One of Phaneroo’s communication specialists, who did not want his name disclosed, argued that the terms of ownership of the land in question are clear and well known.

“We have no disputes with any of our neighbours. In that same spirit, you will appreciate that we regularly meet with our neighbours to address any issues that might arise from time to time. One such meeting took place recently under the auspices of the Naguru development master plan,” he contended.

“For ownership details, we encourage anyone in doubt to reach out to the ministry,” the official summed.

MPs react

However, to some lawmakers, such as Rukungiri Municipality MP Dr. Erisa Rutahigwa, it is too early to call it a day.

“We need to fast-track it. Maybe in our next sitting, honourable chair, we can plan and raise it as an urgent issue so that the Speaker can call upon all those stakeholders to make that place free. Otherwise, as I have seen things keep moving forward and backwards,” said Rutahigwa on April 7, 2026.