Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimisha Madhvani, is currently residing in a hotel after her official residence became dilapidated and unfit for human occupation.
The development comes amid growing concerns over Uganda’s significant expenditure on renting properties for its diplomatic missions abroad.
The revelation was made by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, during the presentation of the 2025/26 Alternative Ministerial Policy Statement for the Foreign Affairs Sector.
Nkunyingi highlighted that Uganda spends approximately Shs44.4 billion annually on rent for various foreign missions, a financial burden he believes could be alleviated through government-led property acquisitions.
“The government must embark on acquiring properties for our diplomatic missions to ease the burden on Ugandan taxpayers. The cost of renting properties abroad is unsustainable,” Nkunyingi emphasized.
Madhvani’s current living arrangements underscore the broader issue of poor maintenance and inadequate infrastructure for Ugandan diplomatic staff abroad.
It remains unclear how long she will continue to stay in the hotel or what measures are being taken to resolve the situation.
The Ugandan government has faced repeated calls to invest in acquiring and maintaining embassy properties rather than relying on costly rental agreements.
Critics argue that owning properties would not only cut long-term costs but also provide stability and security for Uganda’s diplomats stationed worldwide.
As discussions on the matter continue, stakeholders are urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prioritize the welfare of its diplomats while ensuring a cost-effective approach to housing Uganda’s missions abroad.
