Minister Kania Warns Landlords Against Evicting Tenants

The State Minister for Internal Affairs Hon Mario Obiga Kania has reiterated President Museveni’s words and issued a strong warning to Landlords not to evict their tenants over failure to pay rent.

As the country grapples with the lockdown enforced to contain the spread of Coronavirus, millions of Ugandans are unable to make it to their places of work and therefore have little or no income.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kania said no tenant should be evicted in times like this.

“At this moment, there is no need for you as a landlord to inconvenience your tenant who has been your business partner for so long period of time. There is a short period of inconvenience and may take a month or two. It is possible for you not to inconvenience anybody by telling them to go out. Don’t evict anybody and if you evict, we shall make sure that we restore that tenant for this period,” he said.

Kania further echoed Museveni’s directive that prohibits bodabodas to operate beyond 2pm.

The Minister said security forces have been instructed to ensure the directive is implemented effective Thursday and called on bodaboda riders to abide by it.

“We therefore appeal to the bodaboda riders and users to make sure they are able to use these bodabodas between the period of 6am when the curfew opens and 2pm. Don’t wait for the time of curfew. The curfew time of 7 (pm) is different, it is for everybody; but this one is specific. Bodabodas, do your work, use them, by 2pm park them off. We hope it will not be necessary to impound your machines,” he said.

Meanwhile, for pickups and trucks moving on the road without carrying cargo, Kania said are not allowed.

He added that only those vehicles that are on return from delivering cargo are allowed on the road.

“Unfortunately some Ugandans who think they are clever have been using them (pickups and trucks) for other purposes, for traveling without a purpose. Some trucks have been found carrying people in the cargo compartments. This must stop,” he ordered.