Time for condos

According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Uganda’s population is set to increase tremendously with 2020 already projected at 41.2 million. However, the country currently faces a housing deficit of about 1.2 million units, with Kampala alone in need of an extra 200,000 units.

By 2030, this deficit is said to reach three million units with population rise playing a lead role.

With land getting increasingly scarce, and very costly, condominiums come in as an immediate and reasonable solution.

Bugolobi and Bukoto are some of the age old condominiums in the country and more are joining the club. Condominiums or condos as they are commonly known offer separate ownership, something that is not the case for apartments. “Apartments can only be leased or rented out while one gets a title of ownership with a condo. Every one longs to know that they will not be dealing with landlords and the condo allows that in a small space.” Collins Oduka, a real estate practitioner shares.

Owing a piece of a condo allows you social amenities that you would have paid for or never given thought. “The houses come with amenities such as a swimming pool, a gym, among others that a home owner would have to pay for separately. These are meant to improve your lifestyle and are within reach.”

Unlike a home where you need to mow the lawns, weed the gardens, plant trees and many other things, condos come with minimal maintenance.

However, Oduka says you need to remember that there are monthly charges that one ought to pay for the communal services and maintenance. “Defaulting on this is breaching the governing laws which makes you an offender.”