On Friday, 30th August 2024, the Uganda Business Facilitation Center hosted a pivotal Consultative Meeting on Real Estate Regulation and Licensing. Members of AREA Uganda and several other real estate professionals convened to address the future of real estate agency regulation in Uganda.

 

The meeting featured two significant presentations: one by Moses D Lutalo from Broll Uganda and another by Ronald Ssengendo from the Surveyors Registration Board (SRB). Both provided valuable insights into the sector's current status and the steps being taken toward professionalizing and regulating real estate practices.

First Presentation: Moses D Lutalo, Managing Director, Broll Uganda.
Moses D Lutalo's presentation revolved around the importance of regulating the real estate industry in Uganda and the role of SRB in this process. He emphasized the significance of professionalizing the industry, citing that AREA Uganda, founded in 2008, aims to bring order to the sector. He outlined the legal mandate of SRB, established under the Surveyors Registration Act (Cap 275), which includes the responsibility to regulate professions connected to land and buildings, including real estate agents.

Key Points:

 

Necessity for Regulation: Lutalo highlighted increasing risks from unprofessional agents, such as property value distortions and unethical practices. Regulation would ensure basic competencies in areas like building inspection, ethics, laws, and dispute resolution.

 

SRB's Role: The Surveyors Registration Board has been tasked with the responsibility of regulating real estate agents, backed by an existing legal framework (SRA Cap 275), thus avoiding the delays associated with the proposed Real Estate Bill 2023.

 

Pathways to Registration: Lutalo outlined different routes available for real estate agents to register with SRB, such as the Professional Associate Route, Experience Route, Adaptation Route, and Academic Route, each designed to cater to varying levels of experience and qualifications.

Call for Action: He encouraged real estate agents to consider the importance of registration with SRB to enhance professionalism and avoid the pitfalls of operating without oversight.

Second Presentation: Ronald Ssengendo, Chairperson, Surveyors Registration Board.

 

Ronald Ssengendo's presentation focused on the professionalization of the real estate sector in Uganda. He delved into the concept of professionalism, its characteristics, and the importance of regulation for the real estate agency profession. He reiterated that professionalism is about competence, knowledge, integrity, respect, and emotional intelligence.

Key Points:

Defining Professionalism: Ssengendo emphasized that professionalism entails not only technical knowledge but also adherence to ethical standards. He discussed key traits like competence, integrity, and confidence that are essential for professionals in the real estate industry.

 

Regulations and Licensing: He explained that real estate agents are currently regulated under the Surveyors Registration Act (Cap. 303), which includes provisions for registering professionals responsible for land and buildings. However, he acknowledged that the real estate sector still faces challenges as the Real Estate Bill 2023 focuses on practice, not the profession itself.

 

Importance of Registration: Registration with SRB certifies that real estate agents have the skills to practice safely and effectively, while also providing legal protections, such as exemption from trading license fees.

 

Steps Toward Professionalization: Efforts towards professionalizing the sector have been ongoing, including the creation of a special committee in March 2023 to study the existing legal framework and advise on the registration of real estate agents. In January 2024, AREA Uganda was officially recognized as the professional association for land agents, marking a significant step forward.

 

Attendance.

 

The event was notably attended by key figures from AREA Uganda as well as others from within the real estate sector, including Shirley Kongai, President of AREA Uganda; Lilian Kaddu, an AREA Uganda board member; Issa Bukenya, CEO of Posh Properties Limited; Victoria Nannozi from Nissi Classic Cleaners; Catherine Nanteza, also a board member of AREA Uganda; and several other members of the real estate fraternity.

Conclusion.
Both presentations underscored the critical need for regulation and professionalism in Uganda's real estate sector. Lutalo's call for immediate action by agents to register under SRB, coupled with Ssengendo's detailed explanation of what professionalism entails, outlined a clear pathway for agents to elevate their practices. The meeting highlighted the importance of establishing standards, ensuring competence, and fostering a regulated environment for Uganda's growing real estate industry.