By Andrew Irumba
The business community in Kampala is shedding buckets of tears because much as they are not operating ever since President Yoweri Museveni issued a national lockdown as a way of preventing the spread of Coronavirus, the landlords are demanding for their March and April rents.
The Presidential Directive to close all shops and non-food selling stores, bars, salons, electronics stores is greatly affecting traders because much as the the country is experiencing an economic shutdown, the landlords don’t want to hear any excuses and are demanding for their rent arrears, although many traders were asking for a waiver or a grace period after the lockdown during which they can pay.
Although they are very many, here is a list of city landlords that have put Ugandan traders on tenterhooks;
Drake Lubega
He owns Majestic plaza, Qualicel Building, Qualicel Bus Terminal, Jesco Plaza, Mini Price, Jamboree Plaza, Nabukeera plaza, among other buildings. He wants his rent as soon possible.
Mansur Matovu aka Young
He is the proprietor of Zai Plaza, Ivory Plaza, Sunset Arcade, Cooper Complex, Namaganda Plaza, M.M Plaza, Jumbo Plaza and Energy Centre. He demands, not excuses from his tenants but his rent money.
Young Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu
This one owns Ham Shopping Arcade, Ham Towers in Wandegeya, Pearl Apartments, to mention but a few. He doesn’t want to hear your stories, he wants to see bank slips.
Bosco MuwongeÂ
He is the landlord of Gaggawala Shauliyako, Corner Plaza, Namayiba Bus Terminal and Kisenyi Bus Terminal. He sold his 6 buildings in 2017 due to increasing debts. These were Jumbo Arcade, Boost House, Stone Corner, Superior Complex, Premier Building and Nabugabo Arcade. Now, he has had enough problems by selling his own to solve his problems. It’s that rent that he depends on to service his loans also, please pay him.
Babirye Mugerwa
She owns Park View plaza, Yamaha Centre, H and B Plaza, Hanifa Towers and other buildings. She doesn’t want to know your problems please, she has enough too, simply pay her she solves hers and you also solve yours.
Tom Kitandwe
He is the owner of a giant shopping arcade in Kikuubo, owns Nakasero Complex, Galiraaya Plaza, Gazaland Plaza,  People’s Plaza, Midcity Arcade and Mackay Building. He also has Bank loans to service, unless the president asks his banks to delay their demands, he will also need his rent.
Godfrey KirumiraÂ
The Chairman Kwagalana Group owns Kirumira Towers, Royal Complex, BTC Building in Ndeeba among other buildings. Haaaaaa! this one now! Please pay him,because he had just started building his other mansion in Muyenga, the site needs cement. And by the way, you’ve been following his land wrangles with generals, forgive the man and pay his rent.
John Sebalamu
This one owns Capital House, Bata Bata building, Naiga Chambers, Charm Towers and Freedom City complex. The power and water bills alone, before you talk about any other thing, you need to have empathy and pay him. NWSC and Umeme have not promised to waive off their bills so far,where should he get the money to pay? pay your rent.
Christine Nabukeera
She is the proprietor of Nana Shopping Centre, which houses one of the biggest supermarkets in Kampala Central Business District (CBD) and is rented by several traders.
Mutaasa Kafeero
This wealthy businessman owns Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza, Zainab Aziza Emporium and other buildings.
Moses Kalungi
He is the proprietor of Kalungi Plaza in downtown Kampala, although the businessman is said to be erecting a mega shopping complex in Kampala that will house supermarkets, swimming pools, pharmacies, cinemas, theatres, to mention but a few.
Watch Out for Part II of this List of Landlords who have put Ugandans on ‘Bunkenke’ (Tenterhooks)
