Why condominiums are a feasible solution to Uganda’s housing deficit

KAMPALA: Condominium business has lately become a growing trend in the housing sector of Uganda, popular amongst middle income.

A condominium is a form of multidimensional apartment building, where specified units are separately owned, with the shared space such as corridors, parking space, security, recreation areas (Rooftop, green area), drive way and parking are collectively owned. There is no individual ownership of land in condominiums.

Abbas Rasheed, a leading realtor and General Manager Universal Multipurpose Enterprises, a project developer, says a number of people are opting for condominium property ownership instead of renting an apartment.

Mr. Rasheed, admits that condominium is a new building concept and Ugandans are slowly taking up. But there is need for more awareness before Ugandans can accept it.

In an exclusive interview, Rasheed explains the dynamics of condominium management including fees payment among others undercurrents.
Condominiums have a reserve fund – the amount of money the association sets aside to make repairs on the shared property.

Abbas says the public should be sensitised about the Condominium law, noting that investing in Condominium Properties helps optimise on use of land and economise on the cost of infrastructure.

Under a condominium agreement, he says owners form a condominium association where they select the head of the association, secretary and treasurer.

It is through the association heads that condominiums are managed.

These ensure that cleaning, garbage collection and electricity dues are collected. “Every person is expected to pay a monthly fee to cover the expenses,” he says.

“These fees vary based on the size of property owned by a particular owner. Three-bedroom unit will definitely be charged comparatively more than Two-bedroom unit, besides other factors such as the view of the unit, the floor it is located on and so forth.

“The nature of condo fees is very broad in the sense that they vary depending on various factors – mainly how developed a building is and what facilities it has for its residents. Some complexes have swimming pools, fitness centres and tennis courts while others do not. In the former case, the maintenance fees will certainly be higher,” he adds.

Maintenance fees usually cater for landscaping, Electricity & Water in common areas
Swimming pool and Tennis court maintenance, Garbage disposal, security, painting the exterior, renovating lobby, resurfacing parking lots among other amenities.

“Living in a condominium property means there is sharing of responsibility for instance in the costs of repairs and maintenance,” he says, adding that Condominium is the best accommodation for those who want to stay in the city and a way of optimally using land in Uganda.

“A small piece of land can accommodate many units. Land is limited; two, nobody owns the land. Those things of I have bought ‘air’ and running around to get title deeds are left for the developer,” he said.
According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Uganda’s population is projected to grow to 41.2 million by 2020. Yet the country currently has a housing deficit of about 1.2 million units, with Kampala alone having a staggering deficit of more than 200,000 units.

By 2030, the deficit is expected to reach three million units on account of the rapid urbanisation rate and a high population growth rate of 3.2 per cent per annum.