The Anti-Fraud Brigade of Kinshasa City in the DR Congo have threatened to seize a commercial house, Uganda House, owned by the Uganda government in Kinshasa over non-payment of property tax arrears to the tune of $443,000.

A source, who preferred anonymity because he has no authority to talk to the press, said the Kinshasa City authorities alleged that the Uganda government has been collecting taxes from tenants occupying the building for more than 10 years without remitting them to the Congolese city.

“After negotiations, it was agreed that Uganda pays tax arrears for only four years (2019-2023). The Uganda government in Kampala allowed them to pay the money, but the officials in Kinshasa have been dilly dallying. The Anti-Fraud Brigade have written to the embassy that they would seize the property if payments were made,” a source said.

Uganda House is at number 17 Avenue Tombalbaye in Kinshasa City. The building was built during the era of Idi Amin Dada in the 1970s. Later, it was turned into a commercial property.

The latest threat by the Anti-Fraud Brigade to seize the building if the payments are not made was contained in a September 13 letter to the Uganda Embassy in Kinshasa.

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