Eviction of tenants: Landlords face one year in jail

 State minister for land, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi. Photo/File

Cabinet has proposed a law that will penalise landlords for at least one year in jail for unlawfully evicting tenants.

Unveiling the proposed Landlords and Tenants Bill on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre, state minister for land, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, said by fixing a punishment for landlords,  the unresolved conflicts and violation of rights of tenants in the country, will be cured.

"The lack of a regulatory framework for rental premises has often resulted into unresolved conflicts and violation of rights. This situation has greatly undermined the harmonious relationship of tenants and landlords. The law proposes that landlords, who unlawfully evict tenants, will face one year imprisonment," he said.

As a result of unresolved landlord-tenant conflicts, Baryomunsi said, forceful evictions and destruction of property is at its peak.

Baryomunsi said under the new law, any agreement between the landlord and the tenant shall be in writing.

"The Bill makes it mandatory for the parties to execute a tenancy agreement in writing in order to document and provide a framework for their relationship," he said.

The proposed Bill, which seeks to repeal obsolete colonial laws (Rent Restriction Act and Distress for Rent (Baliffs) Act); will be tabled before Parliament next week, for First Reading.