Mbale, Uganda: The Mbale Diocese Church of Uganda has renewed its call for the relocation of Mbale Main Garage from the diocesan church land. In a letter dated May 7, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of Mbale City Land Board, Counsel Paul Wanyoto Mugoya, the Diocese urged him to remind General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to follow up on his earlier pledge to intervene in the matter.
The revelation was made on Sunday 18th May, 2025 during a service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Mbale, by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara, who delivered General Muhoozi’s message to the Diocese and congregants.
Mr Barugahar was accompanied by Mbale City Land Board Chairperson Paul Wanyoto, Dr. John Faith Magolo, MP Bungokho North, Mbale District, and Nakawala Naume, Mbale Deputy RDC.
Wanyoto who is also contesting for Mbale Northern City Division Parliamentary seat, confirmed that the process of degazetting part of the Busamaga Forest in Mbale City is underway as a proposed alternative location for the relocation of the garage mechanics.
“Last month, the Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Nandaah gave me a letter to deliver to Gen. Muhoozi, reminding him of his pledge to intervene in the land conflict between St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Mbale main garage mechanics,” Wanyoto said.
“As Chairman of the City Land Board, I now confirm that the degazettement process is ongoing, and I promise that by the end of this year, all garage mechanics will have been relocated,” he added.
Wanyoto also emphasized that with the support of President Museveni, nothing can prevent Gen. Muhoozi from resolving the issue, noting that over 25,000 mechanics are expected to be relocated from the church land.
He further revealed that a team from the State House had approached him and his committee regarding the degazettement process, which he said is nearly complete.
The Diocese’s letter to Gen. Muhoozi, delivered through Wanyoto, expressed gratitude for his visit to St. Andrew’s Cathedral in 2023 and for his contribution of UGX 20 million towards the cathedral’s stalled building project, which is now nearing completion.
The letter highlighted the longstanding issue of the garage’s occupation of church land, stating: “One of the issues we shared with you that day, and where you were also present, was the relocation of the motor garage from the Diocesan headquarters and St. Andrew’s Cathedral to a suitable site preferably outside the city center. This matter has dragged on for years, despite efforts by the State House, and we now appeal for your renewed intervention.”
It concluded by expressing confidence in the Chairman of the City Land Board’s ability to influence a timely and lasting solution, allowing the Diocese to access its land for long-overdue development projects.
Minister Balaam reaffirmed Gen. Muhoozi’s commitment to the cause, stating: “I’m here to deliver a message from Gen. Muhoozi to the Bishop and Christians of Mbale Diocese.
He said that the process of securing over 50 acres of land in Busamaga Forest to facilitate the relocation of garage mechanics has begun already.” Dr. Balaam added that Gen. Muhoozi had engaged President Museveni on the matter, who in turn directed relevant authorities and ministries to take action to support the relocation efforts.
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