Concerns are growing over the state of Uganda’s diplomatic properties abroad following revelations that the Ugandan High Commissioner in London, Nimisha Madhvani, is currently residing in a hotel after her official residence was deemed dilapidated and unsafe for habitation.
This development comes amid increasing scrutiny over the Shs44.4 billion (approximately $11.8 million) Uganda spends annually on rent for its foreign missions.
The situation was highlighted by Nkunyingi Muwada, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the 2025/26 Alternative Ministerial Policy Statement for the Foreign Affairs Sector. He has called on the government to prioritize property acquisition over costly rental payments.
“As the opposition, we contend that targeted acquisition of property for foreign missions is cost-effective,” Muwada stated. “We shall allocate funds towards acquisition of mission property as multiyear projects. Most of our missions abroad rent premises in which they operate, like the chancery building, and the official residence. A multi-year approach on turning rent advance payment or instalments on property acquisition would ultimately solve the problem at hand.”
The situation in London underscores the risks and inefficiencies associated with renting diplomatic properties.
The safety and well-being of diplomatic personnel are critical, and ensuring secure, well-maintained residences is essential for effective diplomatic operations.
Muwada also raised concerns about the lack of reciprocity in visa arrangements with certain nations. He noted that while Uganda offers visa-free entry to citizens of several countries, some of those countries have not extended the same privilege to Ugandan passport holders.
“There is lack of reciprocity with at least nine countries whose passports are exempt to Uganda. This means that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has insufficiently engaged other countries in the public diplomacy to improve the mobility score of our passport,” Muwada explained.
He argued that this imbalance reflects weak negotiation and diplomatic engagement by Ugandan officials.
The revelations have sparked debate over the government’s management of foreign missions and resource allocation.
Calls are growing for a comprehensive review of rental arrangements and a strategic shift toward property acquisition to enhance cost-effectiveness while ensuring the safety and dignity of Ugandan diplomats abroad.