Gomba Landlords Protest Property Tax

What the report says

Landlords in Kiriri Trading Centre, in Mpenja Sub-county, Gomba District, are protesting a property levy they say was introduced without enough explanation and is discouraging investment in rental and commercial buildings. According to Nile Post, affected owners say they were served with demand notices covering rental houses, business premises and even boys’ quarters, with deadlines and penalties included. They say they were not given a clear explanation of the tax’s legal basis, how it was calculated, or why it applies in their area.

The landlords told the publication that some of those affected are retirees who invested in property for income in old age. They also said they sought help from the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, and understood that district leaders were supposed to meet them, but they claim that did not happen. The property owners have asked President Museveni to intervene and have the levy withdrawn.

The group says the charge is unfair because Kiriri does not have town council status, while they believe other nearby urban centres such as Kanoni and Maddu are not facing the same demands. They also said the notices have affected rental income, with some tenants leaving after owners tried to raise rent to cover the new cost.

Johnbosco Segirinya, the Mpenja Sub-county chairperson, denied that the sub-county introduced the levy and said it came from Gomba District. He said local administrations were only told to collect it. Nile Post reported that attempts to get comment from district officials were unsuccessful. The dispute highlights wider tensions over local taxation, property investment and communication between district authorities and residents.