News
Foreign affairs ministry pays sh18.7b for Kampala city prime land
Bagiire refuted claims by Opposition activist Moses Bigirwa that the ministry bought the land at $8 million (about sh33.6 billion) when the real cost was $4 million (about sh16.8 billion). “His (Bigirwa) unsubstantiated utterances are a desperate attempt to remain relevant after losing elections. We challenge him to offer evidence that the land was purchased at $8 million,” he said.
Without divulging details of the deal, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Vincent Bagiire, told New Vision Online recently that the procurement was subject to all requirements and the land was bought at market price.
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has paid $4.5 million (about sh18.7 billion) for prime land in Kampala City, New Vision Online has learnt.
Without divulging details of the deal, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Vincent Bagiire, told New Vision Online recently that the procurement was subject to all requirements and the land was bought at market price.
The land on which Magic Car Parking is located measures approximately 0.2420 hectares. It is comprised in Plot 5C, Colville Street, Kampala, and near the ministry headquarters.
Bagiire refuted claims by Opposition activist Moses Bigirwa that the ministry bought the land at $8 million (about sh33.6 billion) when the real cost was $4 million (about sh16.8 billion).
“His (Bigirwa) unsubstantiated utterances are a desperate attempt to remain relevant after losing elections. We challenge him to offer evidence that the land was purchased at $8 million,” he said.
Bagiire refuted claims by Opposition activist Moses Bigirwa that the ministry bought the land at $8 million (about sh33.6 billion) when the real cost was $4 million (about sh16.8 billion).
“His (Bigirwa) unsubstantiated utterances are a desperate attempt to remain relevant after losing elections. We challenge him to offer evidence that the land was purchased at $8 million,” he said.
Documents seen by the New Vision Online indicate that the ministry paid sh17.291 billion to acquire the land from Residence Plaza Limited, the registered proprietor, on July 7, 2026.
Bagiire did not explain why they acquired the land and whether it was owned by the public as alleged.
He did not also comment on the allegation of the conversion of the land in question from leasehold to freehold tenure in August 2022 in favour of the Residence Plaza Limited, which is led by Samasdin Mohammed Charania as director.
It is alleged that Kampala District Land Board approved the conversion on October 14, 2015. The duplicate leasehold certificate of title (LRV 3242 Folio 25) was reportedly cancelled by the lands ministry.
Bagiire did not explain why they acquired the land and whether it was owned by the public as alleged.
He did not also comment on the allegation of the conversion of the land in question from leasehold to freehold tenure in August 2022 in favour of the Residence Plaza Limited, which is led by Samasdin Mohammed Charania as director.
It is alleged that Kampala District Land Board approved the conversion on October 14, 2015. The duplicate leasehold certificate of title (LRV 3242 Folio 25) was reportedly cancelled by the lands ministry.