TAXPAYER BILLIONS AT STAKE! Questions Mount as NIRA Plots Relocation from Cheap Kololo to Expensive New Offices
Whispers of a looming office relocation at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) have triggered fresh concerns over the possible misuse of taxpayers’ money, with critics accusing some officials of plotting to abandon a relatively cheap government facility in Kololo for expensive private office space that could cost Ugandans billions of shillings annually.
Highly placed sources have exclusively told Red Pepper that NIRA, which has operated from offices within the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for more than a decade, is considering relocating amid what insiders describe as a growing fallout with its landlord, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Sources familiar with the developments claim that frequent interruptions caused by national functions hosted at Kololo have become a major point of contention. Because the grounds serve as the country’s premier venue for national celebrations, military parades, state functions and international events, NIRA operations are occasionally affected whenever preparations for such activities are underway.
However, critics are questioning whether the disruptions are serious enough to justify abandoning one of the cheapest office arrangements currently enjoyed by a major government agency.
According to available information to Red Pepper, NIRA currently pays approximately Shs612 million annually in ground rent to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which manages the Kololo facility on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The amount is considered significantly lower than prevailing commercial office rates in Kampala, where institutions of NIRA’s size would likely spend several billions of shillings every year on rent alone.
This has sparked suspicion among observers who believe the reported push for relocation may be driven by interests beyond operational convenience.
“How many events are actually held at Kololo in a year?” one government insider wondered. “The disruptions exist, yes, but they are not frequent enough to justify exposing taxpayers to a rent bill running into billions.”
Sources further allege that several landlords in Kampala have been lobbying aggressively to attract NIRA as a tenant due to the authority’s large office space requirements and substantial government budget. Some critics now suspect that certain individuals within NIRA may be favouring a move that would ultimately benefit private property owners.
There are even allegations circulating within government circles that some NIRA officials may have had their “beaks wetted” by interested landlords keen on securing the NIRA lucrative tenancy deal. Red Pepper could not independently verify these claims.
What is known, however, is that some of the properties reportedly being suggested to NIRA would cost several times more than the current Kololo arrangement, potentially pushing annual rental obligations into the billions of shillings.
Ironically, while discussions about relocation intensify, sources reveal that separate conversations have also been taking place within government regarding the possibility of reducing NIRA’s rent obligations or even allowing the authority to continue operating at Kololo without paying rent altogether.
Several officials reportedly question why one government institution should charge another government institution substantial rent, especially when both entities are funded by the same taxpayers.
“This is government paying government,” another source remarked. “Instead of exploring ways to reduce costs and save public funds, some people appear more interested in moving into expensive rented premises where private interests could potentially benefit.”
Government has for years explored plans to secure land and construct a permanent headquarters for NIRA, a move viewed by many as the most sustainable solution.
Yet critics argue that until such a permanent home is secured, abandoning the relatively affordable Kololo arrangement for costly commercial premises would represent poor value for money and place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on NIRA’s leadership and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explain whether the proposed relocation is genuinely driven by operational necessity or whether Uganda’s taxpayers are being prepared for another costly rent bill running into billions of shillings.
Watch this space!
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