Summary:
Muwada also highlighted Uganda’s struggles with diplomatic negotiations, pointing out that at least nine countries enjoy visa-free entry into Uganda without reciprocating the gesture.
KAMPALA: Uganda’s High Commissioner to London, Nimisha Madhvani, is currently residing in a hotel after her official residence was deemed dilapidated and unsafe for human occupation.
This comes amid growing concerns over the Shs44.4 billion Uganda spends annually on rent for its Missions Abroad.
The revelation was made by Nkunyingi Muwada, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the 2025/26 Alternative Ministerial Policy Statement for the Foreign Affairs Sector. He urged the government to prioritize acquiring permanent properties to ease the financial burden on taxpayers.
“There is glaring indifference in acquiring, developing, and maintaining property for Missions Abroad. Of the 38 missions, only 10 own both a chancery building and an official residence. Some of these premises are in poor condition, if not condemned. In London, for instance, the High Commissioner is staying in a hotel because the official residence is uninhabitable,” Nkunyingi stated.
He emphasized that targeted property acquisition would be a cost-effective solution, proposing a multi-year funding approach to gradually shift from rent payments to property ownership.
Muwada also highlighted Uganda’s struggles with diplomatic negotiations, pointing out that at least nine countries enjoy visa-free entry into Uganda without reciprocating the gesture.
He attributed this to weak diplomatic engagements by Ugandan officials.
“There is a lack of reciprocity with at least nine countries whose passports are exempt from visa requirements in Uganda. This reflects the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ failure to effectively engage in public diplomacy to improve the mobility score of our passport,” he noted.
