Real estate dealers warned over unplanned homes

Mar 28, 2015

"The homes need to be those that are planned and organised. We need to be able to have homes with proper addresses, not those where giving directions to someone involve telling them to turn left at Mvule tree, jumping a small stream or turning at an ant-hill," Rugunda said.

By Francis Emorut                                                   

The Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, has warned real estate dealers against setting up poorly planned homes.


"The homes need to be those that are planned and organised. We need to be able to have homes with proper addresses, not those where giving directions to someone involve telling them to turn left at Mvule tree, jumping a small stream or turning at an ant-hill," Rugunda said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the opening of the second property expo at UAP Nakawa Business Park in Kampala last week.

Rugunda observed that it is incumbent upon real estate developers to ensure that the building of new homes is planned and have addresses.

He argued that with planned homes it is easy to direct a person to the location without saying turn left or at the Mvule tree.

The property expo has attracted over 75 exhibitors who showcased their products.

Rugunda noted that with the growth of population to 35 million people, the country requires additional houses for accommodation.

"This even more so in towns and cities, whose populations are growing at a very high rate," he stated.

He also warned property developers against building substandard houses as this risks the lives of the people.

"To build for generations requires adherence to standards and quality assurance. It means ensuring that buildings are built according to approved plans. It means using quality cement, sand, bricks, iron bars, and all other ingredients," he said.

He told the exhibitors that fake products flooding the markets must be identified and destroyed and culprits dealt with according to the laws.

"Selling and using fake cement is criminal because it puts the lives of the people at risk," he said.

Commenting on the slogan of the property expo "Building Uganda for Generations," Rugunda explained that it should mean that the institutions for ensuring standards must do their work.

He said it requires a professional work ethic among builders, architects, engineers and all people involved in the construction industry and it also requires the presence of strong consumer protection bodies in the construction sector.
 
Zipporah Mungai the managing director of UAP Insurance Uganda Limited agreed with the Premier on need to have homes properly planned homes with addresses.

Anthony Githuka the managing director of UAP Life Assurance Uganda Limited also emphasized the need to have well planned homes with water, sanitary and sewerage facilities.

Andrew Mukukiibi the president of Association of Real Estate Agents-Uganda appealed to government to promote real estate industry as it creates employment opportunities for plumbers, electricians and painters among others.

Edwin Musiime the chairman and chief executive officer of the Property Expo echoed the Premier's concern of ensuring quality houses are built to avoid loss of lives.

Scott Panella the President of Keller Williams Realty appealed to government to lower import taxes so as to attract more investors on real estate industry.
 

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