Kampala, Uganda: Parliament has summoned the leadership of the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board, chaired by Finance Minister, Hon Matia Kasaija, to explain alleged mismanagement and irregularities in handling properties left behind after the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
The summons follows the appearance of the Board’s Executive Secretary William Bizibu Semakula before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), where he reportedly failed to provide comprehensive responses to questions raised in the Auditor General’s reports.
During the session, legislators expressed concern over alleged illegalities, poor record keeping and questionable disposal of properties under the board’s custody.
COSASE member Bumali Mpindi said the committee resolved to summon the board members after the executive secretary repeatedly referred questions to them.
“We resolved to invite the Board members before we get a way forward. The executive secretary was referring us to the Board and he seems to just get instructions from the Board,” Mpindi said.
The committee has demanded a comprehensive list of properties under the board’s management, including those valued, repossessed and disposed of.
Allegations of Mismanagement
Reports by the Office of the Auditor General for 2023, 2024 and 2025 highlighted irregularities in the management and sale of properties belonging to Asians expelled by former President Idi Amin in 1972.
MPs raised concerns that some properties were allegedly allocated to board members or distributed without following due process, while others were reportedly sold using forged documents and questionable powers of attorney.
Richard Ssebamala, MP for Bukoto Central, also questioned whether the board holds valid land titles for some of the properties.
According to the Auditor General’s 2023 report, the board lacks a complete asset register for the properties under its control, contrary to the Assets of Departed Asians Act.
The report warned that the absence of a comprehensive register exposes the properties to risks such as wrong allocation, theft and land grabbing. It also revealed that some assets already sold were still being recorded as board property.
Auditors further found that the board had not collected rent from certain government institutions occupying the buildings since the mid-1990s.
Outstanding receivables amount to Shs2.83 billion, with several ministries listed among the debtors, including the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs – Shs949 million, the Ministry of Public Service – Shs517 million, the Uganda Prisons Service – Shs418 million and the Ministry of Education and Sports – Shs86 million.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the President’s Office were also listed among the entities owing rent.
The Auditor General noted that poor record-keeping makes the recovery of these funds unlikely.
Mounting Legal Cases
The board is also facing 137 court cases arising from property disputes. Auditors further flagged financial irregularities, including failure to remit Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes worth Shs381 million deducted from employees’ salaries to the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Additionally, the board has been criticised for operating without a strategic plan or costed work plans, raising concerns about governance and accountability.
The committee expects the board leadership to appear before COSASE to provide explanations and clarify the status of the properties.
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