Kampala, Uganda: Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has pledged to work closely with the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board (DAPCB) to conclude the management of unclaimed properties left behind following the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
Musasizi made the commitment on Thursday during his first official meeting with the board’s management since assuming office. He was accompanied by Minister of State for General Duties Cissy Mulondo and Minister of State for Privatization and Investment Aminah Zawedde Mukalazi.
The DAPCB delegation was led by Executive Secretary George William Bizibu and Divestiture Committee Chairman Arnold Turwomwe, who briefed the ministers on the board’s operations and the status of the remaining properties.
According to the board, approximately 2,000 properties remain unclaimed out of about 9,000 properties that came under government management following the 1972 expulsion.
The Executive Secretary said the board has reconstructed a comprehensive assets register, as required under the law, and has published a gazette notice listing the unclaimed properties.
The Departed Asians Property Custodian Board was established under the Assets of Departed Asians Act to manage and dispose of properties abandoned after the 1972 expulsion.
Subsequently, the Expropriated Properties Act provided the legal framework for property valuation, competitive disposal, repossession and restitution to eligible former owners.
Under the law, all expropriated properties were vested in the Government of Uganda under the authority and management of the DAPCB, whose board is chaired by the Minister of Finance.
Musasizi said he intends to work closely with the board to conclude the outstanding processes in accordance with the law.
He also directed the Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, Hon Aminah Mukalazi, to closely monitor the operations of the board as the government seeks to bring the long-running property management exercise to completion.
The meeting forms part of the Finance Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen oversight of statutory bodies under its mandate and ensure compliance with existing legal frameworks governing public assets.
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