Pr. Kagya also praised Kimera for using part of his hard-earned income to transform the lives of people in the community.
A 63-year-old woman from Entebbe Municipality has received a fully furnished two-bedroom house and the land on which it stands after emerging the lucky winner in a real estate promotion draw held earlier this year.
Deborah Nassejje, a resident of Katabi-Busambaga in Entebbe, Wakiso District, was on Sunday handed the keys to the house by City Sites Limited, a real estate company.
The property, located in Kiyagi-Ndese, Mukono District, sits on a 50ft-by-50ft plot and comprises a sitting room, dining area, two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen.
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According to City Sites Limited proprietor, Elder Godfrey Babi Kimera, the house cost about sh20m to construct, while the land is valued at sh5m, bringing the total value of the prize to about sh25m.
The handover was presided over by former Central Uganda Conference Bishop Pr. James Kagya and Elder Kimera, in the presence of hundreds of people, including Nassejje’s relatives and friends from Entebbe, residents of Kiyagi-Ndese and other people from different parts of Mukono.
‘I Thought It Was a Scam’
Nassejje said she had been living at her ancestral home in Entebbe because she had delayed purchasing land for her retirement home after spending much of her income on her son’s education.
She said she had hoped to buy land and build a house where she would spend her retirement while taking care of her children and grandchildren.
“After my son graduated and secured a job at Entebbe Grade B Hospital, I embarked on buying land where I would construct a house in which I would retire and look after my children and grandchildren,” Nassejje said.
She said her plans took an unexpected turn when a friend introduced her to City Sites Limited, which allows customers to acquire land through instalment payments.
Nassejje said she had saved only sh180,000 when the company conducted the draw live on Bukedde TV.
“Little did I know that my friend was a God-sent messenger. After saving only sh180,000, they held a draw live on Bukedde TV and I emerged as the grand winner,” she said.
She recalled that she initially struggled to believe the news that she had won both land and a house.
“I couldn’t believe what they were telling me, but after some time, I realised they were real,” she said.
Another House Up for Grabs
Following the handover, City Sites Limited launched another promotion in which another lucky customer will win a modern house located in Kabembe, Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono District.
Kimera said customers qualify for the draw by either paying for land in full or purchasing it through instalments.
He said the next draw will be held around Christmas, when another winner will be announced.
“The house to be won is so modern compared to the one taken by Nassejje,” Kimera said.
The company also unveiled an affordable housing programme aimed at enabling customers to acquire modern houses through instalment payments.
Kimera said the initiative was particularly designed to support Ugandans working abroad who send money home to purchase land and construct houses but sometimes return to find that their investments have been mismanaged.
“This programme is to help mostly our sisters and brothers, the immigrant workers abroad, who have been sending money to buy land and facilitate construction only to come back and find nothing. Many have committed suicide over that, while others have broken down, killing their future,” he said.
Leaders Praise City Sites
Pr. Christopher Sserunjogi of Seeta SDA Church commended Kimera for being productive and innovative.
Pr. Kagya also praised Kimera for using part of his hard-earned income to transform the lives of people in the community.
He, however, challenged him to maintain integrity in the real estate business and ensure that his employees are also trustworthy.
Richard Kiwanuka, the elected chairperson of Kiyagi Village, said residents had followed the construction of Nassejje’s house from its foundation.
Kiwanuka said Kimera had told them from the beginning that the house was being constructed as a giveaway prize, although some residents initially doubted him.
He said the handover had demonstrated that Kimera had fulfilled his promise.
As a gesture of appreciation, Nassejje presented Kimera with a handmade mat, saying mat-making is currently her source of livelihood.
