HiPipo Money

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Lamudi Uganda explores some of the cheapest and most expensive locations to buy and rent property in Kampala

The property price is always one of the first things a house-hunter takes note of when searching for their dream home. Various locations in Kampala are known as either affordable or expensive, and they therefore attract different kinds of clients. Leading property portal Lamudi Uganda explores some of the cheapest and most expensive locations to buy and rent property in Kampala city.

Lamudi Uganda’s Country Manager Shakib Nsubuga said: “When it comes to the price of properties, location plays an important role. As you can see, locations that are far from the city center, hospitals, offices and other amenities tend to be cheaper than the locations that are close to these amenities.”

Affordable locations:

1. Naalya

This location is outside the city center but with the construction of the Kampala Northern bypass, commuting to and from Naalya has greatly improved and therefore convenient for the people who stay in the area. Buying and renting in this area is cheap compared to other areas because,there are many existing apartments plus more under construction.  Naalya is an upcoming suburb with various schools and other amenities available for residents. The rent in this area can go for about $345 for a four bedroom house and buying a four bedroom house about $120,700.

2. Bweyogerere

Bweyogerere is another location outside the city center that has some of the cheapest properties in Kampala. A plot of land in this location can be found for as little as $345 while rentals can be found for $140 per month. The fact that is area is approximately 20 minutes from the city center without traffic means it property prices are lower than in more central locations.

Upmarket locations:

1. Kololo

This is the most expensive location to buy or rent in Kampala, with land going for as much as $1,500,000 for an acre of land, houses for sale reaching as much as $56,000 and rentals for as much as  $2,500 – $5,000 per month this price depends on whether the rental is furnished, it is more costly for a furnished rental. Kololo is a residential area with access to malls, schools, hospitals, offices and other amenities. This neighborhood is also home to embassies and residential area to dignitaries which makes it a high security area.

2. Naguru

This is the second most expensive location to buy or rent a property. Naguru is a residential area with amenities such as schools, hospitals and offices in close proximity. The fact that it is accessible and has good connections to other areas are just two factors that have made this area sought after by many investors and property owners. Naguru is quite expensive with rentals at $1,200 – $3,000 for two – three bedrooms (the price varies depending on whether you want it furnished) and buying a four bedroom house is about $500,000 in this area.

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• Minister encourages Ugandan business  community to take advantage of tangible progress made by RVR in the rail sector to help preserve Ugandan roads
• Transit time between Mombasa and Kampala has been cut to an average of just 6 days
• New laws to be introduced by EAC members limiting the weight of goods being transported by road in a single load

RVR the concessionaire of the Uganda Kenya Railway in partnership the UEPB have held a consultative and update workshop with a cross-section of the business community aimed at creating awareness about progress being made on the railway and finding ways of increasing the volume of goods the business community in Uganda transports via rail which is still underutilized. 

Speaking at a press briefing held on the start of the trade seminar RVR’s chief commercial manager Andreas Heinel noted that the company had made a lot of progress as a result of investments made in infrastructure and rolling stock by the new shareholders who took over operations in 2012 this has resulted in much greater reliability, faster turnaround times and improved commercial efficiencies.

He gave the example of the transit time between Mombasa Kampala and vice versa which is now only 6 days down from 14 when the new management took over, “we believe this transit can be significantly reduced if bureaucratic and customs processes were streamlined at the port, border and within the bonds.

Officiating as the guest of honour at the trade seminar Hon Emilia Kyambade the Minister of Trade and Industry lauded the two organizations for partnering in this initiative, “Uganda’s balance of trade is not healthy at the moment” she noted “as we look at further streamlining our imports procedures we also need to look at ways of stimulating exports which will provide employment for more Ugandans and bring in the much needed foreign exchange necessary to stabilize the currency”.

She encouraged the business community to take advantage of rail transportation as an alternative to roads which is already overburdened by the huge volume of traffic, she pointed out that rail transportation possesses many advantages over roads “there is no weight restriction, the routing is a lot more direct and the price is affordable”. Additionally she stated moving goods by rail will help preserve our roads hence saving the taxpayer money. “Now that RVR is showing tangible signs of improvements, I urge the business community to use rail because one of the measures the governments of East Africa are considering introducing is legislation that will make it mandatory to move goods above a certain weight by rail. So any companies that embrace rail now will get a definite head start over their competitors” she advised.

Thanking the ministry for the guidance and support they have provided Ugandan exporters over the years, the Executive Director of Uganda’s Export Promotion Board Emmanuel Mutahunga applauded the Minister for the various initiatives her ministry has championed which he said have created a conducive environment for members of the community to thrive. “The number of Ugandan exporters has grown exponentially over the last few years and we know this has been mainly due to your own personal involvement and commitment, today we honour you by presenting you with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of our members,” he added.

Andreas concluded by highlighting the measures RVR has put into place to increase efficiency thereby creating customer satisfaction. “Over the last 9 months, the company has received delivery of 13 out of 20 GE locomotives; another 1,000 freight wagons have been refurbished to boost capacity. He added, “With these and the expected delivery of 500 heavy carrier wagons later in the year, I am confident the company has the capacity to comfortably quadruple the volume of freight we move today. This is indeed an incredible achievement” he stated. 

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Following the 2014 MTN Kampala Marathon which attracted over 20,000 participants, MTN Uganda and its partners including Huawei Uganda, New Vision, Rwenzori Water and Stanbic Bank handed over the UShs. 450 million collected during the Marathon that was held in November under the theme “Run for water”. The cheque was handed over to the First lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Honourable Janet Kataaha Museveni and the District officials from Kotido district at a function held at State House Entebbe. 

Also in attendance were representatives from the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) which has partnered with MTN over the years to successfully organize the MTN Kampala Marathon.

The handover over of the marathon proceeds is a fulfillment of MTN Uganda and its Marathon partners’ promise to utilize the 2014 Marathon proceeds to deliver safe and clean water to the people of Karamoja.

The MTN Kampala Marathon is an annual initiative aimed at creating opportunity for all Ugandans and Non Ugandans to contribute towards the development of the country by raising funds towards a noble cause. Over the last eleven years, the Marathon has grown to become the biggest sporting event in Uganda with thousands of people from all walks of life, participating to donate towards a noble and worthy cause.

Last year, MTN and its partners commissioned 18 boreholes in Nakapiripirit district, constructed with proceeds from the 2013 Marathon. The 2014 Marathon proceeds will go towards a similar cause in Kotido district due to the high demand for clean water in the Karamoja region. The selection of Kotido district as beneficiary was made after the evidence from Uganda Bureau of Statistics -UBOS poverty map and primary data indicated that more than 80% of the people in the district were living below the poverty line. A full needs analysis was carried out to ensure that the neediest villages in Karamoja would benefit from this water project.

The Uganda Human Development Report 2005 (UNDP 2005) ranked Karamoja Region as the second last in the country Human Development Index of 0.24 where high levels of poverty were attributed to frequent drought and insecurity.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, MTN Chief Executive Officer Brian Gouldie underscored MTN Uganda’s commitment to add value in the lives of ordinary people through initiatives such as provision of clean and safe water adding that the partnership with other Corporate Companies and with the Government of Uganda as developmental partners is one of the strategies to realize the vision.

Gouldie added, “We take pride in the fact that every participant who took part in the 2014 Marathon whose theme was “Run for Water”, joined hands with MTN and our partners to make a difference in the lives of the people of Karamoja. At MTN, we dedicate ourselves to the cause of improving the society we live in by harnessing the passion that we as Ugandans have within ourselves. The MTN Kampala Marathon is one such vehicle for community support”.

On her part the First Lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Honourable Kataaha Museveni referred to  the event as a celebration of the spirit of Social Responsibility being championed by MTN and its partners, a move she said should be emulated for the good of communities in need.

She added: “This culture of selfless giving should take root in our society to grow the outreach to needy people. Your ability to rally people for a worthy cause has resulted into 18 boreholes which we commissioned last year in Karamoja. That project is now benefiting 4,800 people in seventeen communities in Nakapiripirit district. I thank MTN, Huawei, New Vision, Rwenzori Water and Stanbic Bank for championing this noble cause”.

 On the selection of Kotido district, another region in Karamoja, Mrs. Museveni said Kotido district is currently witnessing the re-settlement of people in greener areas which are still water stressed hence the need to provide safe water.

“It is heartening for me to know that you have selected the North-eastern district of Kotido as beneficiary of the 2014 proceeds with the aim of increasing water accessibility. For this matter I will be present to flag the 2015 MTN Marathon this year”, she concluded.

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There are several suburbs and residential neighborhoods in Kampala with good schools, offices, shops – and all within close range of the city center. Leading property portal Lamudi Uganda explores 10 of the most sought-after locations to buy a house in Kampala city.

Lamudi Uganda’s Country Manager Shakib Nsubuga said: “Most people in Kampala want to buy or rent property in locations that offer the convenience of the city such as shopping centers and other amenities. At the same time, they want the area to be quiet and secure. However because of this, properties in these locations tend to be pricey.”

Lubowa

This is situated along Entebbe Road and it is highly sought-after by people who mainly work in Entebbe. Lubowa is sought after because of its well-planned housing estates and convenient stores such as quality supermarket. It is a serene neighborhood with a view of the lake, minimal traffic and a large number of schools both local and international.

Munyonyo

Located near the shores of Lake Victoria, this area offers beautiful views of the lake and hill top views of the whole city. It is an upscale residential neighborhood in Kampala with a convenient number of lakeside resorts, health centers, supermarkets. All this is located 23 minutes from the center which makes it popular for those who want to get away from the hustle and noise of the city.

Muyenga

This suburb offers hilltop views of the city and Lake Victoria. The area boasts upmarket houses and apartments for rent in a safe and quiet environment. There are also good schools, day care centers, clinics and supermarkets. Muyenga is a popular location because it is far enough from the city center to be quiet and serene.

Bugolobi

One of the most sought-after locations to buy and rent because of its luxurious apartments, gated villas, estates and bungalows. Bugolobi also has one of the city’s largest fresh food markets, one of the most efficient private hospitals in Uganda, plenty of supermarkets, a mall, good schools, entertainment centers and offices.

Kololo

This centrally located suburb is also an exclusive residential area with bungalows, villas and serviced apartments offering breathtaking views of Kampala. Kololo also has a number of schools and daycare centers. The area is popular because of its quiet and calm surroundings despite the large number of malls, bars, restaurants and hotels located there.

Luzira

This area is located near Lake Victoria, and is a sought-after location to buy a house because the bungalows and townhouses are often situated in a gated community, offering plenty of security. Luzira also boasts of quiet residential communities within easy reach of a number of schools and convenient stores, which makes it an ideal location to buy or rent a house.

Mbuya

One of the best locations to buy a house, this area is also close to Luzira. This location is popular because it is situated far from the busy city but conveniently close to the commercial centers. It also has many private properties with fully furnished apartments for rent. This is a top location to buy a house for retirement or for investment.

Kiwatule

This is a popular location in Uganda for the middle class. The residential neighborhood has a wide range of luxury apartments and houses in gated communities for rent and sale. Kiwatule also has good schools, a recreational center and is close to a highway, making travel to and from the city center easy and convenient.

Ntinda

This is an upmarket residential neighborhood with gated communities, housing estates and luxury fully-furnished apartments. Ntinda also boasts  one of the city’s foremost commercial centers with a large fresh food market, clinics, pharmacies and supermarkets. This location also has schools and offices which makes it very popular among house-hunters.

Kasanga

This is a residential area with a variety of shopping and entertainment centers, ensuring maximum convenience for its residents and potential property buyers. Kasanga also has upscale apartments and houses in a secure neighborhood with a large fresh food market, health centers and schools, including a university.

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The Madhvani Foundation Uganda’s largest Private education trust has launched its 2015/2016 scholarship scheme with a major announcement that the amount they will make available for scholarships in the coming year will increased by Shillings 50 million brining this year’s total up to Shillings 700 Million.

The boost is meant to cater for the more costly tuition fees for science and technical disciplines in the various Ugandan Universities.

Speaking at the 2015/2016 Madhvani Foundation Scholarship launch Mr. Gabriel Opio the Chairman Scholarship Committee said “I am delighted to launch this year’s scholarship program and want to let you know that the Madhvani Foundation board found it crucial to increase the scholarship fund to encourage and enable science scholars to pursue the much needed disciplines for Uganda’s Labor market. We realize that many underprivileged and yet academically brilliant students cannot afford these expensive courses. With this boost we hope to give more opportunity to the academically gifted students”.

Since its reintroduction in 2003, the fund has donated over 4 Billion shillings and supported over 2,000 Ugandan students studying both scientific and technical courses. The earmarked science and technical disciplines for sponsorship include Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Actuarial Science, Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Commerce, Hotel Management, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, Food Science & Technology, Information Technology, Environment, and Medicine. The students legible for the scholarship are undergraduate students, who have completed first year of studies at a Ugandan University; and graduate applicants who have been either admitted and/or registered for graduate programmes.

Mr. Gabriel Opio also commended the Madhvani Family passion demonstrated for their community acclaimed by numerous beneficiaries from year to year through their sponsorship package, which has steadily increased from Ushs 300 million in 2003 to Ushs 700 million now. “Uganda has for the longest time suffered shortage of labor and brain drain especially in the science and technology fields due to unaffordable educational costs for competitive science and technological courses and although other government organizations have come out to offer such scholarships to our students many times they study from those respective countries and required to practice there for specific periods of times leaving our country in lack of skilled practitioners” he said.

“At the heart of the Foundation’s vision is a desire to see a scheme that nurtures brilliant youth to fulfill their potential and reinvest their knowledge, skills and experience in programs that will positively benefit others.” he added. 

Mr. Roni Madhvani commented on this year’s theme “Achieve your Ambitions” with an illustration of a lady driving a tractor, “This year’s theme is based on female empowerment and agriculture. I believe that empowering women means empowering a nation and nurturing agriculture is giving birth to the future. A future of our motherland”.

One of the Madhvani Foundation Alumni Association members, Martin Muganzi the proprietor of Youth at Work Initiative Uganda (YAWI), an organization that seeks to address youth unemployment, gave an inspirational testimony to encourage the Alumni to give back and make a positive impact in their communities.

Application forms for the Scholarships can be downloaded free from the foundation website at www.madhvanifoundation.com or bought for Ushs 2,000 from The Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation plot no. 96-98, Business park, 5th street, Industrial area.

The closing date for submission of completed forms is the 30th of April 2015.

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Samsung Electronics East Africa Ltd has reiterated its commitment to small and medium size enterprises and corporate business’s with its foray into the A3 multifunction printer segment in East Africa. Designed specifically to meet the needs of enterprise and SMBs, the MultiXpress series comes fully loaded with features such as ergonomic design, compact size, advanced controls, high reliability, duplex printing and ease of operation. With this new series, the company is confident about strengthening its position in these sectors and has developed an aggressive go-to-market strategy for tapping the market across top cities in the country. With the entry into the A3 printer segment, Samsung enterprise business aims to contribute to 10% of Samsung East Africa total turnover over the next few years

“As organizations rapidly expand their businesses, we want to empower them with innovative technology that helps them to evolve and grow their business with a competitive edge. We today offer a suite of innovative, high-quality and reliable smart enterprise devices and solutions that address all business needs across education, healthcare, hospitality, retail and financial sectors. Our entry into the A3 printer segment of the market is a confirmation of our commitment to offering new dimensions in printing solutions to both enterprise and SMBs,” said Mr. Jung Hyun Park, President Samsung East Africa.

“We will continue to introduce printing solutions that are customized for regional and user environments, thereby providing perfect products that satisfy local customer needs. Over the next fiscal year, we plan to become a leading player in the A3 MFP market. Keeping in line with this aim, we will be focusing on establishing and consolidating our regional distribution channel by partnering with Copy Cat Ltd as our direct distributors for A3 printers and Solutions.” Mr. Park added.

 “We understand that all businesses are cost conscious, as they look for ways to maximize their profits. This range of printers come with – longer lasting toner capacity which, combined with other features such as the polymerized toner that contributes to reduced power consumption, offers users a competitive total cost of ownership,” Mr. Park concluded.

Officiating as the Guest of Honour representing the Minister of state for ICT the director of information and broadcasting in the ministry Eng. John Mayanja lauded Samsung and copycat for launching the printer copier in Uganda “As Government we support your initiative in bringing the latest and most advanced products onto the Ugandan Market I am certain this printer will be very popular among Ugandan businesses as the overall cost of operations, is of great concern for small and big businesses alike, these printers will go a long way towards improving many companies bottom line”.

The global electronics company has partnered with The Copy Cat Uganda Ltd. in offering managed printer solutions. This service will enable corporates to acquire the Samsung printers without incurring much expense by leasing from The Copy Cat (U) Ltd. Users can choose from a laser black & white or coloured printer.

“For users who want to purchase the printers, we are offering all these great Samsung products at competitive prices compared to what is available in the market,” said Mr. Sahil Patel, Country Head, The Copy Cat (U) Ltd.