How Ugandans and those in the diaspora can buy land property in Uganda.
By William Luyima
Ugandans in the Diaspora are interested in buying land back at home but many of them do not know how to go about it.
Below are the things you should do before you buy land or property in Uganda. You may watch video if that's what you prefer
First and foremost, you need to draw out a budget of how much you are willing to spend the budget informs the size and location of the land/property.
You then contact a realtor or freelance land broker to locate desired property for you. After this you do a physical inspection if you are around or ask a trusted representative to observe; important amenities, Presence of water, and access road and markets etc
At this point you need to get a photocopy of the land title from the seller for title verification at the lands office. You need an independent person to avoid conflict of interest. The realtor or property company shouldn't do this for you. It's a cost but it saves you from land fraud to rule out any encumbrances.
While at the lands office you need to check the particulars of the land details of the copy if they match with the photocopy, if they don’t match you need to step back. That is wrong property/land purchase to make because it clearly has issues.
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For those in the diaspora, a lawyer can do the verification for you. Please note that authentic search reports are stamped and signed by the authorities of the land.
New land titles from 5 years ago have security features that can be viewed on smartphones.
It is important to ensure an independent search that is the broker or the seller shouldn’t do this for you because some have proved to be dishonest at this requirement to avoid cases of buying land that has already been sold before. You can ask a trusted relative to do this for you. An attorney/lawyer dedicated to land matters is the best especially for people in the diaspora to do due diligence on your behalf especially if you are first time buyer or intending to spend lots of money.
You can do the follow up yourself but it can be hectic, especially if you are tide to your desk.
After title verification, the next step is to contact a surveyor to open up the boundaries for you. For those plots that are not in estates or gazetted communities, you need to know where your land starts and ends. Where it's located exactly as per the title. The surveyor helps in verifying so that you pay for what you exactly want.
Please note that the surveyor costs are paid by you not the seller.
Estates, are planned so you won't need the surveyor.
Real Estate dealers do due diligence on big chunks so you might want to do your own because you might pay for what was already sold to someone else. You also want to confirm The exact plot so that they don't push to another plot that you didn't agree to.
At this point, if everything checks outright, you can pay for your land by cash or bank transfer.
The next step is to show presence put a sign for “Not for sale” and add a contact number. You should put a fence as well so that you don't leave it hanging.
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You can do some agriculture or plant trees so that it's put to good use as you prepare to do what you planned for it. Your neighbours can be hired at a small fee to watch over it or do small farming on it return.
Side note for the diaspora buyers:
Find someone to oversee your interest. This can be a real estate company or a trusted relative.
With smartphones, they should share pictures of evidence and progress on the property.
Regarding the registration, you will be required to send a copy of your National ID, passport photos and signatures. Lawyers back home can help with the transfer of land since you will have given them powers of attorney. The lawyers will mail these documents back to you after you've paid the required land office taxes and tariffs.
You should consider paying for supervision and maintenance.
A property manager can do the fencing and monitoring for you while you're away.
I shared a detailed story on the same in this video
For inquiries feel free to contact me on email: LiamLuyima@gmail.com.
