Finance minister meets DAPCB management to fast-track resolution of unclaimed departed Asians’ properties
Under the law, all properties left behind were vested in the Government of Uganda under the authority and management of the DAPCB, which is chaired by the Minister of Finance.
Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has met the management of the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board (DAPCB) to review the board’s operations and the status of properties left behind following the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for General Duties, Cissy Mulondo, and the Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, Aminah Zawedde Mukalazi.
The DAPCB delegation was led by the Board’s Executive Secretary, George William Bizibu, and the Chairman of the Divestiture Committee, Arnold Turwomwe.
Established under the Assets of Departed Asians Act, the DAPCB was mandated to manage and dispose of properties abandoned after the 1972 expulsion. The subsequent Expropriated Properties Act set out procedures for the valuation, competitive sale, repossession and restitution of the affected properties.
Under the law, all properties left behind were vested in the Government of Uganda under the authority and management of the DAPCB, which is chaired by the Minister of Finance.
During the meeting, Bizibu said the board had reconstructed a comprehensive assets register, in line with the legal requirement to maintain proper records, and had published a gazette notice listing unclaimed properties.
Turwomwe revealed that of the approximately 9,000 properties originally managed by the board, about 2,000 remain unclaimed.
Musasizi pledged to work closely with the board’s management to conclude the process in accordance with the law.
He also directed that the Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, Aminah Mukalazi, will closely monitor the board’s operations to ensure the remaining work is completed efficiently and transparently.
The meeting forms part of ongoing government efforts to resolve outstanding issues related to expropriated properties and bring the long-running restitution and divestiture process to a close.
