The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
THIS WEEK: Traders welcome Landlords and Tenants Bill
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Traders have welcomed the Landlords and Tenants Bill which will put an end to the practice of charging rent on commercial and residential property countrywide in foreign currency especially dollars.
Cabinet already approved the bill and it awaits passing by parliament. Chris Baryomunsi, the minister of state for housing said under the proposed law, the unit rent cost shall be in Uganda shillings unless the landlord and tenant expressly agree to transact in foreign currency. In the new bill, landlords cannot increase rent fees beyond 10% in a year.
Several property owners charge rent in dollars which tenants describe as hurtful to both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) chairman Evaristo Kayondo said the bill would rein in notorious landlords who hike rent overnight and forcefully evict tenants in favour of foreign traders especially Asian businessmen who pay in foreign currency.
