A number of companies in Uganda have entered the real estate business yet there are no specific laws to regulate their establishment and operation.
This is why real estate developers have set up an umbrella body to regulate and set standards in the booming sector.
The Uganda Home Builders' Association (UHBA) first conceptualized in 2008 when the country hosted the International Housing Association meeting in Kampala is set to be launched in June with a host of activities lined up including a real estate exhibition, a golf tournament, among others.
The association currently has eight pioneer members including the National Housing and Construction Company, Akright Housing, Kensington Heights, among others.
Ms. Elizabeth Rumanyika, the President of UHBA told East African Business Week in an interview that registration of new entrants is ongoing and urged other players in the sector to join the association to share challenges and goals.
"Our goal is to push for reforms and policies that will enable us have a strong and single voice towards solving similar challenges, while at the same time channeling our efforts towards a similar cause," said Rumanyika.
She said the association's main aim was to push for self regulation as is the case in many countries.
This she said would enable the home builders gain credibility as they would be able to consolidate the ideas from the members because they (real estate developers) are aware of the challenges that face them.
"Enforcement is very pivotal because we currently have policies and very good ideas and yet we cannot implement them because we do not have the powers to regulate ourselves."
Currently, real estates are regulated by the town and county planning boards under the statutory body of the physical planning unit, which is only responsible for approving construction plans of residential houses without going into the detailed site plans.
Ms. Rumanyika also added that clients who need advice regarding home ownership can be helped by the association as they will be readily availed with information.
"In order to build or acquire a good home, you will need someone who is well established and can be trusted; someone who has the knowledge and skills in constructing a new home.
“The association is therefore the place to turn to because unlike the old days, today people are focused on simplicity, efficiency and practicality. Simple architecture is the order of the day as home owners want to create spacious houses", she added.
Industry experts have also pointed out that Low-cost housing programmes, spearheaded by the Government, would help more people acquire shelter, but they are ineffective.
Lack of low-cost houses accounts for 65% of the housing deficit in the country.
Ms. Rumanyika said that the Uganda government should borrow a leaf from Kenya, where the government facilitates home developers who are building low cost houses so as to provide customers with affordable housing.
"Infrastructure development is very expensive, let alone the acquisition of land and the hustle associated with it. If government could provide land and also subsidize taxes, then people would be able to acquire low cost homes", she added.
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