Members of Parliament have raised concerns over Uganda’s mounting expenditure on renting premises for its embassies and high commissions worldwide, calling for urgent government intervention to construct permanent diplomatic premises.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda currently spends Shs44.4 billion annually on renting office space and residences for its various missions. The Uganda High Commission in Kigali alone requires US$8,000 (Shs29.6 million) per month for renting the official residence, translating to Shs355.2 million annually. This cost is expected to rise to US$10,000 per month in 2025.
Similarly, the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi spends Shs44.2 million monthly—amounting to Shs530.6 million annually—on renting the Chancery, a situation MPs described as unsustainable.
In response, the Uganda High Commission in Kigali has proposed an outright purchase of an official residence at a cost of UGX5.5 billion as a cost-effective long-term solution. Meanwhile, the mission in New Delhi has urgently requested UGX9 billion to construct a Chancery on the land allocated by the Government of India to avoid the risk of losing it to another country.
MPs have urged the government to prioritize funding for the construction of permanent embassy premises, arguing that continued expenditure on rent is an inefficient use of taxpayer money.
The debate comes as Uganda grapples with budgetary constraints, with calls for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present a comprehensive strategy for reducing rental expenses while maintaining effective diplomatic operations.
Government Response
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the concerns and reiterated its commitment to securing permanent premises in key diplomatic locations. However, officials noted that the implementation of such projects requires significant budget allocations and long-term planning.
