Kalpana Abe's Rent Woes Deepen
The dispute, now heading toward possible litigation, centres on a demand notice issued by Align Associated Advocates on behalf of her landlord, Ms Magret Kumba Nakau.
Japanese investor Kalpana Abe has been evicted from a rental hoke in the affluent Munyonyo neighbourhood of Kampala over unpaid rent amounting to $28,800 (Shs100 million).
What began as a straightforward landlord-tenant dispute in Munyonyo has now spiraled into a high-stakes legal fight.
Landlady Margaret Kumba Nakau, through her lawyers at Align Associated Advocates, has demanded that Ms Abe clear the arrears covering the period from July 31, 2023, to August 1, 2024.
A notice issued in December 2023 warned that failure to pay within seven working days would result in legal action. Nakau insists that Ms Abe agreed to pay rent annually in advance but has since defaulted, forcing her to seek eviction and financial redress.
Align Advocates declined to comment on the matter when contracted saying the matter was already before court and "therefore not subject to discussion".
Ms Abe could neither confirm nor deny the reports of her eviction to this publication.
Court documents reveal that the agreed rent stood at $2,400 per month, bringing the annual amount to $28,800.
However, Kalpana has only paid a fraction, leading to a lawsuit now registered as Civil Suit No. HCT-00-CV-CS-0102-2024 in the High Court. Nakau contends that the breach of contract has caused her financial hardship, preventing her from meeting obligations such as property taxes.
She dismisses Abe’s claims that the house was uninhabitable due to damages, emphasising that the self-proclaimed investor remained in residence until the eviction was carried out.
The battle over rent payments shines a light on the rigid structure of Kampala’s real estate market, where tenants in affluent areas are often required to pay lump sums in advance.
Legal experts note that while such agreements are enforceable, they leave little room for tenants facing financial strain.
Meanwhile, Abe's legal troubles extend beyond Munyonyo. She has been entangled in another dispute over Ephrata Investment Group Ltd, a business she co-owns with Ethiopian partners.
The case, now before the Commercial Division of the High Court, involves allegations of a hostile takeover, mismanagement of funds, and unpaid rent at another premises.
Ms Abe is also facing legal trouble over an alleged hostile takeover of Hideout Bar and Lounge, a popular entertainment spot on Lugogo Bypass in Kampala.
According to court filings, Kalpana unlawfully seized control of the business from her fellow directors before rebranding it as Blackzone Recreation Centre.
Her accusers claim she sidelined them from management and operations, leading to a bitter ownership dispute now before the courts.
