Invest in hostels, homes in Kawuga

In the early 1980s, Kawuga was predominantly known for housing prisoners because of the location of Kawuga government prison. The area was largely bushy with no main economic activities taking place.
Currently, it is one of the most ideal places where people can have their residential houses and it is also a blooming business hub for those interested in carrying out several businesses.
Kawuga is found in Mukono District and is 10 minutes walk from Uganda Christian University. It is two minutes walk from the Kampala-Jinja Highway. A boda-boda ride from the main road costs Shs1, 000. One can also choose to walk.

Its predominant green cover, cool environment and proximity to the Kampala–Jinja Highway has made it one of the most preferred places for people to live in Mukono.
Alex Kamwaka, the chairperson of Upper Kawuga, says Kawuga’s development was facilitated by the various institutions that were set up in the area for example Uganda Christian University Mukono, Progressive Secondary School, Jobia Hotel and Triple P’ Primary school.
She adds that the presence of government institutions such as Mukono District Headquarters and the Mukono High court has facilitated its growth.

The value of land
According to Samson Ssekidde, a resident, the value of land in Kawuga has been increasing time and again because of the facilities in the area such as Uganda Christian University, schools, the best hotels in Mukono, the High Court, district headquaters and other government institutions.
He says a plot of 50 by 100ft now ranges between Shs50m to Shs70m. This he says, is for land, which has clearly processed documents.
Ssekidde is quick to add that although the cost of land is relatively high in Kawuga, it is worth it because the area is blessed with all the essential facilities that are helpful in running day to day life.

Why buy land in Kawuga?
Alfred Ssekibogo, a landlord in Kawuga, says Kawuga is ideal for student hostels, which is a lucrative business in Uganda today.
He says currently, some people have even vacated their homes in Kawuga and turned them into student hostels.
Kawuga has more than 20 student hostels and Ssekibogo says the business is lucrative.
“The distance from Kawuga to the university is walkable so students find it convenient to live in this place because of its closeness to the university,” he says.

Averagely, students pay between Shs600,000 to Shs800,000 for hostel accomodation, this means when somebody constructs a hostel, they will be able to get back the money they invested in two years.
The presence of students also makes other businesses thrive for example, restaurants, hotels, boutiques, retail shops and recreational facilities.
For those constructing rentals, you will not regret the decision.
Due to its proximity to the main road (Kampla-Jinja Highway), people find it a good place to live in.
Renting is still relatively cheap in Kawuga. An apartment costs between Shs350,000 and Shs450,000.

Security
The security in Kawuga is good. There are several police stations that are located in the place. It is also quite near the Mukono Central police station. The area also has a neighbourhood watch system, initiated by the Local Council 1 leadership.
Kamwaka explains that this system helps people keep a close watch on their neighbours as well as reporting suspicious characters in the area.
“This system of neighbourhood watch helps us to track some wrongdoers because we always encourage residents to report any persons whose movements they don’t understand so that we can intervene and interrogate them where possible,” she says.

Caution
Chairperson Upper Kawuga Alex Kamwaka advises those buying land in Kawuga to find out if their plot of interest is under Buganda Land Board or private ownership. She says some people have been duped into illegally acquiring Buganda Kingdom land. She says a person buying land in Kawuga needs to confirm ownership with Ministry of Lands so as to avoid buying what was already sold. Kamwaka adds that while doing background research on land, involve LCs and neighbours.

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