Members of Parliament on the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) have raised concern over the deteriorating condition of Uganda's government-owned properties in Mombasa, Kenya.
Led by Committee Chairperson and Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, the legislators inspected the properties to assess how Uganda Property Holdings Ltd is managing the government's assets. The visit follows concerns highlighted in the Auditor General's 2025/26 report, which questioned the management of the properties.
According to the report, Uganda Property Holdings Ltd manages 41 government properties, comprising 13 in Uganda valued at Shs81 billion, 24 in Kenya valued at Shs96 billion and four in London valued at Shs36 billion. The portfolio includes commercial buildings and land.
During the inspection, the MPs found several buildings in a dilapidated state, which they said partly explains the low rental income generated from the properties.
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At Annex-1 Warehouse on Plot 1/239 Shimanzi, a 17,600-square-foot facility, the committee found multiple roof leaks despite the building remaining occupied by tenants.
The legislators also visited another property on Shimanzi Road where a "To Let" sign had been erected. Inside, workers were repairing sections of a floor that had caved in.
The MPs questioned why management had opted for piecemeal repairs instead of replacing the entire floor to improve the building's condition.
Uganda Property Holdings Ltd Managing Director Wilbert Mugume attributed the situation to inadequate funding.
He said undertaking a complete overhaul of the building would require resources that the company does not currently have.
The same property was also found with broken windows and leaking roofs despite being advertised to prospective tenants.
Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli commended Uganda Property Holdings Ltd for managing the assets despite limited government support.
He noted that the government allocates less than Shs100 million to the entity, yet it is expected to maintain and develop a property portfolio worth billions of shillings.
Mugume appealed to the government to provide at least Shs50 billion to finance renovations and develop idle government land so the properties can generate higher returns.
He said the limited revenue generated by the properties has constrained the company's operations, leaving it with only 14 staff in Uganda and five in Kenya.
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Mugume added that the London office was closed after operating costs became unsustainable and management of the properties there was outsourced to a property management agency.
He also assured the committee that all title deeds for the properties are secure and that no government assets were lost when the portfolio was transferred to Uganda Property Holdings Ltd in 1998.
