With Uganda receiving a warm and sunny climate all year round, the nation is a natural haven for anyone contemplating to finding residence, visit, work or doing business. For a simple developing country like Uganda, challenges of housing still exist especially in urban areas which also sometimes are densely populated with majority residents residing in suburbs popularly known as ‘’Ghettos’’ given their little earnings as most live below the dollar margin on a daily.
Uganda’s Financial Sector Development Strategy (FSDS) estimates the country’s housing deficit to be 1.6 million units, with an annual requirement between 180,000 and 210,000 units. Given rapid rates of population growth and increasing urbanization, a widening housing need may overwhelm cities in the near future.
However, this majorly is for the locals. For expatriates, there is a wider spectrum of housing options to choose from before settling in Uganda. These generally depend largely on the reasons why you intend to live or settle in Uganda. For diminutive stays, one could opt for rented housing or a hotel room while for a longer stay; one could opt to seek residence in a housing estate or purchase a condominium unit at an Apartment that offers them for sale at any of their pristine locations across the Country depending on their occupational area.
Urban housing can sometimes be literally costly especially if one looks forward to staying or living within the city centre so that they minimize on transport costs accessing the city daily. Never the less, to the few privileged ones being provided accommodation packages by their Companies, Organizations or Institutions, it is quite an advantage and a highly recommended option as it helps on what would be paid inform of expensive housing on a monthly basis. However, Uganda has quite a number of reputable property agents who can help you find what you’re looking for. Before taking a pick, be careful to consider yours or your spouse’ place of work as well as the location of potential schools for your children-if any. This may make a huge difference in the amount of time spent stuck in traffic on Kampala’s extremely crowded roads.
An expatriate, or ex-pat, is an individual living and/or working in a country other than his or her country of citizenship, often temporarily and for work reasons.
Availability of expat-type accommodation ranges from impressive fully furnished or unfurnished state-of-the-art houses and gardens in secure compounds to condo-style blocks, and small family accommodation units with modest gardens, usually with their own compound.
As always, at Guide2uganda, we intend to make your stay in Uganda comfortable, worthwhile and memorable. Below is our Top 10 list for Housing options for expatriates in Uganda we have compiled that you can make a pick from, happy reading!!
- Company/Organisation House
If you are privileged and find that your company already owns housing facilities in Uganda, you are highly recommended to take up this option. Regardless of the state, level of convenience, luxury or even backdrop, residing at a company or organization house gives you the freedom to settle in and understand the essence housing in Uganda and later on make an informed decision on what you wish to take up. A company house also saves you the hustle of rent and dealing with scrupulous and quake landlords, not forgetting the expensive and unscrupulous brokers.
2. Hotels
Most expatriates travel to represent their companies in business meetings and projects. To these, opting for a hotel room can prove to be cheaper and better as stays usually take a shorter time span say a week or two. Staying at a fully furnished hotel is a safer and cheaper option given that one’s property is under a 24/7 security surveillance system with modern cameras, security guards and sometimes well trained dogs to assist in manning the areas not forgetting that guests to these premises are treated to quality service. However, be informed on how long your stay will be because the longer it gets, the more expensive Hotel rooms tend to become.
3. Rented House
Some well-furnished family houses around Kampala have been left out for rent to interested parties. Such houses are commonly owned by Ugandan expatriates abroad who depart the country in pursuit for greener pastures in foreign soils or those that own a chain of residences. Many of these houses can be a great fit once rented out to expatriates especially those with families and in need of bigger space. Some of these houses can be converted into office spaces and some companies have taken up the initiative to set up their offices there. This housing option suits well expats intending to have a longer stay in Uganda for example ones taking on long term projects.
4. Condominiums
A condominium (also called a “condo”) is a large property complex comprised of individual units, and each unit is owned separately. Ownership usually includes a non-exclusive interest in certain “community facilities” controlled by the condominium management such as the swimming pool. This housing option suits well an expatriate intending to work and run business over a longer period of time. The down side of condominiums is that space is usually shared and thus not a great option for persons seeking high level privacy.
4. Housing Estates
A housing estate is a group of homes and other buildings built together as a single uniform or design development. It’s also commonly shortened to ‘estate’. In this context, houses are usually of the same make over and structure. It is a housing option ideal for expatriates carrying out the same mission and with interest of staying in close proximity. While staying in an estate, expatriates enjoy the luxury of being in a totally exclusive residence away from many people or local communities. The great plus with opting for this housing option is that one can choose to pay out his residence in instalments, an option ideal for well-paid salary earners who can secure mortgages if accepted by their employers.
5. Apartments
Furnished apartments for rent in the up market suburbs of Kampala provide modern housing for any expatriate opting for this. Most Apartments are fully self-contained with individual blocks rented out separately. The better side of apartments is that they are a cheaper option and are many You can easily find one that matches your need and wallet-size such as one bedroom, two bedrooms or even three bedrooms apartment. Most of the apartments in Uganda are high end and provide an all executive housing experience. The down side majorly is limited space as most of the apartments are in stored buildings where space is limited.
6. Villa
For high end expatriates seeking a great time away from home, signing up for a fully furnished villa could be a great pick. Given that villas are built with luxury under check, one is expected to have a great and memorable stay once he/she opts for one. Villas around Uganda are commonly situated near lakes hence making their neighborhood charming, all fresh and free with much courtyards around. This housing option is better for expatriates travelling with family with intent of longer staycations with luxury in the country.
7. Lodges
For an expatriate running on a pocket-sized or limited budget over a short period of time, opting for a lodge around Uganda could save the day. Lodges come in various options ranging from high-end modern lodges to local simple and often insecure lodges. The local lodges are not recommended for expatriates regardless of how meager your budget could be. This is because most of these lodges are not conditioned to suit your needs but rather will be a disappointment for example most of them do not provide WiFi services and neither do they offer great customer service plus unsure security to protect both guests and their property. They best suit the locals who are used to some of the conditions and services rendered there.
8. Hostels
The major advantage of opting for a hostel is that it is relatively cheaper given its setting. Hotels offer basic and shared accommodation. Rooms, bathe rooms and other facilities can be shared among users. This housing option is best for expatriates on the same mission and in middle-ages such as medical interns and other scholars. That is to say, hostels best suit people who have lived together before thus ideal for students or former hostel mates. Their major down side is limited privacy.
9. Shift Camps
Shift camps are collaborative adventures with hyper-local themes and activities that converge workshops, field trips and discussions. Shift camps are usually temporally structure built to serve purpose. This housing option is best for expatriates whose organisations own land in Uganda and opt to set up temporally shift camps for workers. These structures are normally simple and basic. Expatriates such as engineers, casual laborers, miners and company plumbers usually settle for this housing option.
10. Tents
Tents are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts. Tents have been a common housing option especially for tourists who come to Uganda with the intention of adventure. These usually have a short stay and opt to take on their adventures with outdoor nights. However, this housing option is recommended for expatriates intending to have a short adventurous stay in protected areas such as researchers, investigators or expatriates on a follow-up mission. Larger and stronger tents can be used for a relatively longer time tough. Tents are usually elected in privately designated and protected areas and have proved to be a cost efficient option for low budget expats.
So there you have it. Coming to Uganda for work, benchmarking and study or even for a visit, these are the top 10 housing options you could opt for. However, be cautioned only to seek out broker services or even renting services from registered and licensed reputable firms or individuals. A number of quacks have infiltrated the market and often cheat people of their cash masquerading as rightful land, house and apartment owners or even brokers. Be on the look-out.
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