My good Friends,

By early december this year by the grace of God,I plan to make a 10 day trip for business and holidays to Kampala,Uganda. Holidays in the sense that this will be my first trip to the pearl of Africa,business in the sense that I plan to buy land to build a retirement bungalow in Kampala.

My choice for a retirement house would have been Nairobi as I am very familiar with the terrain but due to prohibitive price s of landed property in Nairobi and environs and other factors I have settled for the neighboring Uganda. For example 1/8 Acre serviced plot of land in a planned estate layout in a good middle class neighbourhood (like 8 KM from city center) in Nairobi cannot be less than 1 million Ksh ie 28 Million UG sh ie 13,000 US Dollars. In Kampala a similar land will go for around 10 Million UG Sh ie about 360,000 Ksh ie 5,000 US Dollars . You can see the big difference.

I have a date with Jomayi Properties,one of the biggest real state firms in the small east african country www.jomayi.co.ug and from my research and due deligence for the past 18 months,they look genuine.

I have read about the negative side of Uganda ie

- The LRA rebel fighting in the north

- Ritual Activities and Human Sacrifice

- The Boda Boda (motor cyclist) crime

- Occasional scarcity of basic drugs in the health centers

- Poor infrastructure like roads,water etc.

But as a Nigerian,I have resilience in my blood,and having spent more than 20 years of my working life in one of the most populous,dreaded and dangerous cities in Africa,Lagos I think I can survive even in a terrible terrain and I am not planning of permanant residence in Uganda but an alternative abode as I do not trust the political stability of any country (even Nigeria),and I do not believe in residing outside our dear black Africa,land of possibilities.

On the good side

- A boom is expected in Uganda Economy because of their new found petroleum

- They have a fine weather and beautiful hilly terrains like our dear Kenya

- The cost of living is low compared to Kenya because of the weak currency so there is value for money.

- They will soon automate Uganda stock exchange so I can still trade on my popular Kenyan counters like KCB etc cross listed there.

- Ksh is easily convertible to Ugandan Shilling

- If EA federation materialises in future,with Kenya or Uganda visa I can travel to either country.

- Close proximity to Kenya just a little over an hour away,

- Kampala has similar structure like Nairobi,there is Posta,City Center etc

I plan as usual to travel with my 15 year old eldest son Daniel and my dear wife Evy and we are about to finalise booking our self service apartment accomodation in Kampala.

As usual I intend to use the preferred airline Ethiopian so we will transit in Addis Ababa. Good enough Addis is a familiar terrain as we were there o holidays last december.

When Uganda trip materialises,this will increase my African Countries travel portfolio as folklows:-

Nigeria,Kenya,Benin,Togo,Ghana,Ethiopia and the new addition Uganda.

So my good people be kind enough to bring in your advise,especially safeguards.

Asante Sana.

With Regards,

Young,

Nigeria

West Africa















AFRICAN INVESTOR

Hi Young,I concur with Njung'e Kampala is a good city to stay.But the place can be damn hot.I wd say that Nrb climate is good for seasons xcept July n its sorrounding months in coldness.True try Entebbe u wont regret it(cool climate,airport near you,animal park:dont remember its name e.t.c).But word of caution I thot items especially what we sell in kiosks are expensive n of low quality:ungas,soap,toothpaste etc.Infact those who come to Kenya prefer doing a little shopping hear n there here. On +ve note there is Uchumi there so u could 'endelea kujenga uchumi yetu'. Then furniture,clothes esp the ladies can be cheap there. Plus matoke in plenty lol! I wish u the best !

@Njung'e @Manja Invesor @Pkoli

Many thanks for your guidance. The message is clear,my choice for the land will be an estate in any of the following vicinities in order of preference :-

(i) Entebbe

(ii) Jinja

Good enough Jomayi properties www.jomayi.co.ug has not less than 15 planned estates with various serviced plot available in various location. I think I will be able to get something close to the above locations.

Thanks once again.

Regards



AFRICAN INVESTOR

Young,

I lived in Kampala for a year,before I came back to Nairobi. I really miss the place. Ugandans live quality life even the poor ones. A place where poor and rich have same meal - matoke,traditional food but healthy. in most areas the rich and poor live next to each other,you will find a bungallow and next to it a hut. Security wise Kampala is well ahead of Nairobi. You will never regret your decision. Also,take care AIDS is rampant,Ugandan women are very aggressive so always be with your spouse.

I am also interested in a plot there,is it different for a non-citizen to buy land there. What is the law saying for other nationals? I know EAC common market will take off next year that will ease owning land in EAC countries.

Nice place to live in (though i hope they have stopped asking for an years' rent in advance for an apartment ) and also just confirm that non-Ugandans can own land there. I think it is only Kenya in East Africa that has 'exposed' herself to every Young,Said and Harry (no pan intended) pushing the prices sky high as you rightly mention!