government 10 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
COSASE Queries Shs214.2 Billion in Government Property Deals and Rent Waivers
Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is scrutinizing billions of shillings in government property assets, including rent waivers and land deals, following concerns raised in the Auditor General's report. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cosase-questions-rent-waivers-land-deals-on-govt-properties-worth-shs214-2b-5553076
The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has launched an investigation into the management of government properties, particularly focusing on significant rent waivers and land allocations totaling an estimated Shs214.2 billion.
During a recent oversight visit to Mombasa, Kenya, the committee uncovered instances where Uganda Property Holdings Limited (UPHL) reportedly granted rent waivers to private entities, allegedly under presidential directives. This practice, along with similar directives for land leasing in Uganda, has raised questions about adherence to legal procedures and whether government is realizing the full value from its assets.
UPHL, incorporated in 1998, manages a portfolio of 41 government properties, including assets in Uganda, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, valued collectively at approximately Shs214.2 billion. These properties were inherited from former state corporations.
A key issue highlighted was Shs4.08 billion in rent arrears owed by Unifreight Cargo Handling Limited at the Mombasa carport. UPHL informed the committee that these arrears had been waived following a presidential directive. However, COSASE Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi stated that such waivers, even if directed by the head of state, must be processed through Parliament, necessitating a review of the legality and financial implications of this specific waiver.
The committee also noted undeveloped prime land, including plots in Bugolobi, Uganda, that were leased or subleased to entities like the National Enterprise Corporation under presidential directives. COSASE intends to intensify its oversight within Uganda to verify the existence of these directives and ensure that legal frameworks were followed, especially concerning land allocations without premium charges and the validity of rent waivers.
UPHL Managing Director, Wilbert Mugume, attributed the dilapidated state of some buildings and underutilization of assets to inadequate funding, requesting Shs50 billion for development. He assured the committee that all property titles remain secure and that no government properties have been disposed of.