President Yoweri Museveni has sparked debate after revealing that some individuals in Tororo allegedly solicited money from industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval, popularly known as Guru, to secure government land for the USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony in Kayoro on Sunday, Museveni said the investor had informed him that certain people approached him for payments during the early stages of the project.
“Some of my people here received money from Mr. Guru to secure the government land,” Museveni said. “I actually want to refund his money. Stop going to Guru for money. That is not your job.”
Museveni did not mention any names, but his comments immediately ignited public debate over who may have solicited the funds and whether they were acting in an official or personal capacity.
The President emphasized that land for strategic investments belongs to government, not individuals, and that investors should never be pressured into paying money to private actors. He warned that such practices undermine Uganda’s ability to attract serious investors.
“I will find out who took that money. Investors should deal with government, not individuals. That is why government handles compensation,” Museveni added.
The revelation came as the President and his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, launched the Devki Mega Steel Plant, one of the region’s largest planned steel facilities, expected to employ more than 15,000 Ugandans.
Dr. Raval, a major regional industrialist, has invested in several manufacturing ventures in Uganda and Kenya and is preparing to launch an iron ore project in Kabale.
While state officials at the event did not comment on the matter, Museveni’s statement has opened calls for an internal review to determine whether public officers or local actors acted improperly during the land acquisition process.
Government authorities are expected to follow up on the President’s concerns in the coming days.
