Business Owners at Makerere University Petition Court to Terminate Eviction Order

Business operators under their umbrella body, the Makerere University Business Owners Association (MUBOA),have petitioned the High Court over their eviction from the premises.

The vendors were kicked out of the University on July 1, 2022 for reportedly operating illegally.

Through their lawyer Precious Nahabwe of Elgon Advocates, the business owners want the Court to terminate the eviction order on grounds that it is  illegal, irrational, unreasonable, procedurally improper.

They also want an order restraining the University from implementing its decision.

In an affidavit seen by this website, one of the applicants states that terminating their tenancy arrangement without being heard and being given sufficient time to prepare for exit is illegal and irrational.

The applicant argues that they have been operating well for over 30 years in the premises without any complaints of rent arrears or any other illegalities. They also claim to have acquired loans from various institutions to support their businesses.

Evidence presented before the High Court shows that the applicants have been paying rent to the University and some of them pay rent ranging from Shillings 500,000 to 1.9 million monthly.

Notice to evict the tenants was first presented in a June 30th letter addressed to the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration.

The letter addressed by Makerere University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda, was in response to an audit report on the businesses at the University.

The report showed illegal vending activities and other businesses that do not relate to its core functions.

The letter explained that several businesses were operating in non-selected spaces including building corridors and foyers and that as such, it was resolved that the campus needed to be cleared of business activities that do not relate to its core functions.

“To terminate all business activities at the University Campus effective July 1st 2022 except for the companies contracted by the University to provide catering services to students within selected kitchens in the halls of residence and the souvenir shop under the Makerere University Endowment Fund,” reads the letter.