Uganda’s Kinshasa Property Faces Seizure Over Rent Dispute

(Kampala) – Uganda owes $433,582 (UGX 1.679 billion) in ground rent arrears to Kinshasa authorities for a commercial property in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite having the funds, the payment remains stuck due to unclear instructions from the DRC side, raising fears of property seizure.
The issue was brought to light by Catherine Lamwaka, chairperson of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, during a meeting with visiting DRC MPs led by Deputy Speaker Lambert Mende Omalanga. Lamwaka noted that Kinshasa authorities have been redirecting Uganda to multiple representatives without clarity on where to remit the funds.
The commercial property, located at 17 Avenue Tombalbaye in Kinshasa, was constructed in the 1970s during Idi Amin’s presidency. In September 2024, the Anti-Fraud Brigade wrote to Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa threatening to seize the property if the arrears were not cleared. Permanent Secretary for Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, confirmed the communication and said Uganda has requested clear payment instructions.
The rent issue has persisted since 2016, yet DRC Deputy Speaker Omalanga stated he was unaware of the problem but promised to address it with Kinshasa authorities.
Details of Dispute
Amount (UGX)
Outstanding Ground Rent (since 2016)
1,679,000,000
Location of Property
17 Avenue Tombalbaye, Kinshasa
MPs also used the meeting to raise other concerns, including DRC’s delay in accrediting a Ugandan ambassador, continued high visa fees for Ugandans, and the arrests of Ugandan nationals in DRC.
Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi highlighted the diplomatic gap caused by the absence of a substantive ambassador, which has resulted in communication through informal channels. He also criticized DRC for maintaining high visa fees despite Uganda waiving them for Congolese nationals, calling it the most expensive visa regime in East Africa.
Issue
Details
Ambassador Accreditation Delay
Uganda lacks a substantive ambassador in Kinshasa
Visa Fees
Uganda waived fees; DRC maintains high charges
Arrests of Nationals
Ugandans detained in DRC; Congolese in Uganda
Nkunyingi further appealed for action on the condition of detained Ugandans, alleging starvation and neglect in DRC prisons. Responding to the arrests, Carly Nzanzu, former governor of North Kivu, claimed that detained Ugandans had committed crimes, adding that Uganda has similarly detained Congolese nationals.
Omalanga assured MPs that these issues, including visa fees and ambassador accreditation, would be discussed with DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former North Kivu governor Nzanzu emphasized that both countries must address these mutual concerns diplomatically.
Bagiire reiterated that Uganda is actively working through diplomatic channels to resolve all the issues raised during the discussions.
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