The condominium trend is sweeping across Uganda’s urban skyline. From the leafy hills of Naguru to the fast-growing suburbs of Kira and Naalya, glass-fronted apartment blocks are rising fast, promising modern living, security and a touch of prestige.
For many Ugandans, including those abroad, owning a condominium is a dream come true. With land prices skyrocketing and stand-alone homes becoming increasingly unaffordable, condos appear to offer a practical path to home ownership. However, beyond the rosy brochures, billboards and other persuasive media campaigns for condominiums lie safety and compliance concerns.
Several complaints have been raised to the National Building Review Board (NBRB) and the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) about the shoddy work by the condominium developers.
The complaints range from leaking roofs, walls and plumbing: substandard work, smelly environment, poor ventilation, inadequate power, etc.
As a remedy to some of these concerns, NBRB, after consultations with key stakeholders in the built environment, developed a checklist for buyers of such buildings, which can be accessed via the NBRB website.
A buyer should, for example, know whether they are the first buyer or occupant of the unit, the age of the building and proof of ownership, such as a certificate of title or power of attorney from a registered proprietor.
The buyer must also have access to as-built drawings, including architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing drawings.
As-built drawings assure the buyer that what was approved by the Building Committee is what was built. It’s advisable to consult a professional for technical guidance.
It is essential for prospective buyers to thoroughly assess the structural integrity of the entire building, ensuring that its foundations, load-bearing elements, and overall construction comply with current safety standards and show no signs of deterioration.
Equally important is a comprehensive evaluation of the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) installations.
The operational health, compliance certifications, maintenance history, and remaining service life of these systems should be clearly documented and verified, as they play a critical role in the building’s functionality, safety, and long-term value.
Be alert to the access services such as roads, water, sewer connection, electricity, soak pit, internet and a septic tank.
Communal areas such as parking spaces, lawns/green areas, laundry areas, garbage collection points and recreational facilities should also be available.
Many buyers neglect the aspect of maintenance of the units they intend to buy. A buyer, therefore, must observe the unit and the surroundings during the rainy season, check whether the walls, especially near the ground level, are dry or don’t show signs of dampness, and check whether the ceiling is dry, not cracking or showing any patches or staining.
All finishes should be intact without any sign of cracking. As the condominium market continues to boom, beauty alone won’t hold up your building.
Buyers must look beyond the surface and demand proof of compliance with safe, code-compliant building standards before making any purchase.
The message from the regulators is clear: safety and compliance come first. A few extra steps today can prevent heartbreak and possibly disaster tomorrow.