
“There were old government buildings for the Ministry of Information here but Uganda was not earning anything; instead, it was spending money to maintain them” (…) “Then these people said the spot was underutilised and that it could bring in more money. If a woman is barren, you don’t chase her away, but you devise ways to get one who produces” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (March 2013).
The Aya brothers, the Aya Investments Limited and their Pearl of Africa Hotel is only causing headaches. The supposed magnificent hotel at Nakasero hill on the old Uganda Broadcasting Company (UBC) building. Certainly, is a sign of the times and how the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have built up foreign investments in the Republic.
The President has vouched for the men behind the scheme. President Museveni has ordered and ensured the land, the funding and gave way to the Aya brothers to build a hotel on government land. While aiding the UBC to flee the premises on the prospects of a big hotel to fill in possible voids of luxury accommodation in Kampala.
The hotel is now only 11 years old and has been bankrupt since 2021. The hotel was supposed to be sold 3 years ago and again the President asks the South African investors who funded the building of the hotel to halt the sale. Since the Aya brothers or Aya Investment Limited doesn’t have the funds to cover their debt.
A state that paid off the UBC and moved the state-owned broadcaster. Gave land and ensured the funding of the hotel. Now, the state must ensure the hotel is still operational and buying time for them. A President has to interfere and defend the company. That’s a telling story of micro-management and how involved he is in minor matters of the Republic.
It is a telling story when it back dates to the needs of the state in 2006 and starts to build in 2007, but by some accounts the grand opening of the hotel was in 2017. While there are reports that they already opened for clients in 2013. Therefore, the whole enterprise is a long journey of failure and government support of the business.
We know the state has coughed up funds for the Aya brothers and for the consultants building the hotel. The state now has to re-assure the creditors and possibly pay them off as well. While the hotel isn’t a money-making machine, but another bottomless pit of misery.
The public has paid money for this hotel, and they will continue to do so. Especially, when the President is so involved and has a say in it. You know he has had a part of it and used his leverage in it. That’s why these matters to him and he had asked for the South African investors to hold on the sale. Meaning he wants his cut and wants to have his say.
The ones that believe it is out of his goodwill and good heart is foolish. Museveni wouldn’t touch this, if he didn’t get something out of it and more than the prestige of a new fancy hotel in Kampala. That’s not what Museveni needs, but surely, he needs the greatness and proof of wealth creation that comes with the building and operating a hotel of this scale. Peace.










