Moses Kaliisa alias Muto, the proprietor of Muto and Twin-Tower business complexes in Masaka municipality, has waived rent for his lockdown-battered tenants for the months of March and April, 2020.
In a memo sent out to at least 650 tenants, Muto said he offered the much-needed waiver to tenants operating inside the two complexes. He said retail traders in the two buildings were unable to earn during the lockdown.
He has also offered to reschedule rent payment for traders operating on the sideways of both buildings to enable them meet their rent obligation since they have resumed business. Muto explained that he has found it proper to cushion the tenants from the effects of the lock down, which threatened their businesses. He said the relief will help them keep afloat.
Silvia Namulindwa, the manager of the two complexes, said they have asked the tenants to clear their outstanding utility bills as they prepare to resume normal operations. She said the landlord has forgone over Shs 250 million in rental fees.
The complexes mainly host boutiques, tailoring workshops, and electronics and cosmetics shops. The last two floors have offices. Vincent Zziwa Kasumba, the chairperson, Masaka Traders Association, welcomed Muto’s gesture. He said the waiver has lifted a huge burden off the traders’ shoulders.
Kasumba urged other landlords in Masaka town to emulate Muto’s kind gesture, which comes at a very critical moment. He said some landlords are already stressing their tenants with demand notices for rent despite the fact that their businesses are closed.
President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly called on landlords not to evict tenants.