Minister Balaam orders halt to construction on contested Tororo govt land

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has ordered the immediate suspension of all construction works on government land allegedly encroached on in Tororo District, warning that illegally acquired land titles will be cancelled.

Balaam issued the directive during an inspection of government facilities and public land in the district, where he raised concerns over the alleged grabbing of land belonging to government schools, health centres and the district headquarters.

The September 22, 2026 directive specifically affects construction on plots 18–25 in Tororo town, which officials say formed part of land belonging to Tororo Central Market.

The land is alleged to have been grabbed by former Tororo Municipality Member of Parliament Yeri Apollo Ofwono.

According to records cited during the inspection, the land previously hosted a public toilet and a borehole that served the old market before it was demolished to pave way for construction of the current market.