By: Ismael Kasooha

KAMPALA

Kampala Landlords, the proprietors of commercial buildings in the city and their tenants have met the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja over an impasse on hiked rental charges.

During a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala, the tenants accused the landlords of violating the Landlord and Tenant Act, 2022 which guides how landlords relate with the tenants.

The Landlord and Tenant Act, 2022 in Uganda regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants, applying to residential and business premises.

Key provisions include mandatory written agreements for over 6 months, restricting rent payments to Ugandan Shillings, 90-day notice for rent increases (capped at 10% annually), and mandatory, reasonable eviction procedures.

In October last year, Nabbanja held several meetings with Landlords and Tenants in Kampala to resolve the rent impasse resulting in several key agreements to stabilize the business environment.

But to the contrary, the tenants accuse the landlords of deviating from the agreements and breaching the landlord tenants act 2022 by increasing rent far above the required 10% annually.

The tenants accuse the landlords of harassing them and even giving them vacation orders because they are interfering with their businesses.

Landlords were represented by Godfrey Kirumira, Ham Kiggundu and Tom Kitandwe among other agents of the landlords.

In their submissions, the Landlords denied mistreating the tenants arguing that whoever does so contravenes the law and can be handled as per the law.

“Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, for some of the issues like rent increment beyond what is provided for by the law, I think we are already guided by the existing laws and I think it was recently amended. So if someone is making an increment outside the perimeters of the law then that is a crime that can be handled at that particular law,” said Ham Kigunddu.

Godfrey Kirumira, the chairman of the Landlords in Kampala assured the government that the Landlords had not violated the existing laws only that some people want to keep the misunderstanding for their own benefit.

Tom Kitandwe, another landlord said that there were some brockers who cause confusion between the landlords and the tenants for their personal benefit.

Since this complaint was filed and resolutions were made to have landlords adhere to the law, the tenants petitioned the President over similar issues who in turn directed the Prime Minister to handle their grievances with Landlords immediately.

The meeting was crowned with a resolution and a directive by the Prime Minister to the landlords to adhere to the laws as shown below:

  1. The Landlords must fully comply with the provisions of the Law as set out in the Landlord and Tenant Act, Cap. 238, specifically the requirement that tenancy agreements of values of UGX 500,000 and above are in writing, and that actual rent paid is receipted immediately.
  2. The Landlords must ensure that they Register with the EFRIS and issue receipts for all rental transactions through the EFRIS system.
  3. The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development should issue instructions to the Attorney General to draft the Regulations to operationalize the Landlord and Tenant Act as provided for under Section 51 of the Act.
  4. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should expedite efforts towards the establishment of a National Apex body for traders through which issues and concerns that require the Government’s strategic intervention shall be channeled as and when they shall arise.
  5. UEDCL should continue with the process of upgrading transformers in the Central Business District to address the issue of unreliable power supply.
  6. KCCA shall ensure that all new building plans include provisions for cable installations that allow electricity service cables to extend externally up to the metering point to allow for installation of separate pre-paid meters for each user. Compliance with this requirement shall form part of the criteria for approving commercial buildings.
  7. Sunday Markets for hawkers and street vendors shall be permitted, as most traders do not operate on Sundays. This will be the alternative for hawkers and street vendors vacating from the streets.

End