A prominent Japanese investor in Uganda has been evicted from her luxury home in Kampala over unpaid rent, in a legal dispute that is now unfolding in court.
Abe Kalpana, the former Vice President of Kansai Plascon, found herself forcibly removed from her residence in Munyonyo, an upscale neighbourhood in the country’s capital, after allegedly defaulting on rent payments amounting to $28,800.
The property’s owner, Margaret Kumba Nakau, insists that Kalpana failed to honor their rental agreement, prompting legal action.
Nakau’s lawyers, Align Associated Advocates, say Kalpana had agreed to pay an annual rent of $28,800 in advance but defaulted on the agreement.
A notice issued in December 2024 warned that failure to settle the arrears within seven days would result in legal proceedings.
Court documents indicate that Kalpana had only made partial payments, leaving a significant balance outstanding.
The case, now registered as Civil Suit No. HCT-00-CV-CS-0102-2024 in the High Court, details how Nakau has suffered financial strain due to the unpaid rent, preventing her from meeting obligations such as property taxes.
Kalpana, however, has contested the eviction, claiming the house was in poor condition and uninhabitable, an argument the landlady has dismissed.
The case has thrown a spotlight on the stringent rental agreements in Kampala’s high-end real estate market, where landlords often demand large upfront payments.
Legal experts note that while such agreements are enforceable, they offer little flexibility for tenants facing financial difficulties.
Legal Battles
Kalpana’s legal woes extend beyond the eviction case. She is embroiled in a commercial dispute over Ephrata Investment Group Ltd, a company she co-owns with Ethiopian partners.
The case, currently before the Commercial Division of the High Court, involves allegations of a hostile takeover, mismanagement of funds, and unpaid rent at another property.
Additionally, she is facing accusations of unlawfully seizing control of Hideout Bar and Lounge, a popular entertainment venue on Lugogo Bypass in Kampala.
According to court filings, Kalpana allegedly forced her co-directors out and rebranded the business as Blackzone Recreation Centre without their consent.
Her former business partners claim they were sidelined from operations, sparking another bitter legal battle.
Kalpana, who has previously boasted of connections to Uganda’s first family, has yet to publicly comment on her growing list of legal entanglements.
For now, her eviction marks yet another chapter in a series of high-profile disputes that continue to raise questions about her business dealings in Uganda.
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