Kampala City landlords have defended their management of commercial properties, asserting that they are operating within legal boundaries despite concerns raised by tenants regarding the frequency of rent increases.
The landlords and tenants articulated their stance during a high-level joint meeting organized by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala, where the two sides pledged adherence to the 2022 Tenant Act.
This is not the first time Ms Nabbanja has mediated disputes between landlords and tenants. In October last year, she held several closed-door meetings with selected landlords to resolve the rent impasse, resulting in several key agreements to stabilize the business environment.
Represented by landlords’ chairman, Mr Godfrey Kirumira, Hamis Kiggundu, and property owner Tom Kitandwe, the landlords rejected claims of illegal rent hikes and allegations of harassment. The traders who also attended the meeting had petitioned the President, who also instructed Ms Nabbanja to handle the matters.
Mr Kiggundu explained that matters such as rent increases are already regulated by the current law, which was recently revised.
“If someone implements an increase outside the legal provisions, that constitutes a crime that can be addressed according to the law,” Mr Kiggundu remarked.
The Landlord and Tenant Act, 2022, regulates both residential and business premises. It requires tenancy agreements exceeding six months to be in writing, rent payments to be made in Uganda shillings, and landlords to issue a 90-day notice before increasing rent, with increments capped at 10 per cent annually.
The law also outlines lawful eviction procedures.
Mr. Kirumira and other landlords who spoke to Daily Monitor reassured the government that landlords in Kampala are dedicated to adhering to the law and fostering a conducive business environment.
“We have not breached the existing laws. Some individuals wish to perpetuate misunderstandings for their own advantage,” Mr Kirumira stated.
He pointed out that most landlords are eager to maintain long-term business relationships with their tenants, emphasizing that stable occupancy is beneficial for property owners. Mr. Kitandwe attributed some of the tensions between landlords and tenants to intermediaries and brokers.
“There are obstructers who generate confusion between landlords and tenants for personal profit,” Mr. Kitandwe remarked, He also advocated for direct communication between property owners and tenants to prevent misinformation.
Mr. Kiggundu further expressed a readiness to comply with government directives, including formalizing tenancy agreements where necessary and ensuring proper documentation of rental payments. “We committed to collaborating with relevant authorities on registration with the appropriate bodies.”
Based on recent 2025/2026 reports, the top landlords in Kampala are dominated by tycoons who own significant commercial real estate, including arcades, office towers, and hotels in the Central Business District (CBD).
Takeaways from the meeting
Ms Nabbanja directed that all landlords must fully comply with the law, particularly ensuring that tenancy agreements worth Shs500, 000 and above are formalised in writing and that all rent payments are receipted.
“I have instructed landlords to register with the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) and issue receipts for all rental transactions,” she said
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development was also tasked to work with the Attorney General to draft regulations to operationalise the Act.
Ministries of Trade, Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, and Finance were urged to fast-track the establishment of a National Apex body for traders to streamline engagement with the government.
To address infrastructure concerns raised during the meeting, the Prime Minister directed UEDCL to continue upgrading transformers in the Central Business District to improve power reliability.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) was also instructed to ensure that new commercial building plans provide for external cable installations to allow separate prepaid meters for tenants.
The government also approved Sunday markets for hawkers and street vendors as an alternative trading arrangement.
Ms. Nabbanja urged both landlords and tenants to respect the law and work together to promote a stable and predictable business environment in Kampala
Some of the prominent Kampala landlords are: –
- Sudhir Ruparelia
- Godfrey Kirumira
- Haji Matovu Yanga
- Drake Lubega
- John Bosco Muwonge
- Haruna Ssentongo
- Karim Hirji
- John Ssebalamu
- Tom Kitandwe
- Hamis Kiggundu
