The Managing Director of Luba Properties Ltd, Moses Lubulwa, has called on the government to introduce stricter regulation of Uganda’s real estate sector, warning that the unchecked sale of undersized and untitled plots is fueling the growth of unplanned settlements and undermining orderly urban development.
Lubulwa made the remarks on Thursday while receiving the title for over 40 acres of land acquired from residents of Kimbugu Village in Ssi-Bukunja Sub-county, Buikwe District. The land will host the company’s newest development, Victoria Estate.
He said the absence of effective regulation has allowed some land dealers to subdivide land into plots that are too small for proper residential development, resulting in poorly planned communities.
“In present-day Uganda, it should be unacceptable for any real estate dealer to create estates that are not properly planned, with plots smaller than 50×100 feet and without land titles, especially in the Central Region where urban development is expanding rapidly,” Lubulwa said.
He argued that every modern estate should be developed with adequate physical planning, including proper road networks, access to electricity and water, and titled plots to guarantee secure and sustainable investment.
Lubulwa accused some unscrupulous land dealers of deceiving buyers by advertising cheap plots, some costing as little as sh1 million, without land titles or sufficient space for standard residential housing.
“Many of these so-called real estate dealers do not survive in business for even five years. They disappear after collecting people’s money, leaving buyers stranded. It is high time government confronted such culprits before it is too late,” he said.
He questioned the role of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in regulating the sector, describing real estate as a critical industry that requires clear standards and stronger oversight.
“Real estate is a very vital business that cannot continue operating without regulation. What is the role of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development if such an important sector remains largely unregulated?” Lubulwa asked.
The launch of Victoria Estate comes as Luba Properties prepares to celebrate 10 years in the real estate business. The company says it has successfully developed and sold several estates across different parts of Uganda.
According to Lubulwa, plots measuring 50×100 feet at Victoria Estate, located a few metres off the Mukono–Katosi–Nyenga Road near the Ssi Sub-county headquarters, are selling at sh7.9m under cash payment, while a credit sale option is available at sh9.3m.
He also appealed to Ugandans living abroad, particularly migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to make property payments directly to the company instead of sending money through relatives.
“We frequently receive complaints from people claiming they paid for plots through relatives, yet we never received the money. We encourage our clients abroad to deal directly with us and avoid unnecessary losses through third parties,” he said.
Luba Properties site engineer, Lakesh Kakooza, said the company conducted comprehensive due diligence before purchasing the land, confirming the availability of key utilities including water and electricity before opening the estate for sale.
Residents welcomed the investment, saying it marks a significant step towards development in the area.
Teddy Nakaggwa, a resident living near Victoria Estate, said the community had already begun benefiting from the project through improved access to clean water after the company installed a public tap.
“We are already seeing the benefits. Even before the estate is officially launched, many residents started fetching water from the tap installed by the company,” she said.
Kimbugu Village Chairperson Charles Kaziba also welcomed the development, describing it as an opportunity to transform the area economically.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the company’s credit sale arrangement instead of allowing outsiders to buy all the available plots.
Luba Properties Ltd operates its head office at Plot 20, Luba House, Mpererwe, along the Kampala–Gayaza Road in Kawempe Division.
