Mbarara Real Estate Boom Raises Alarm Over Illegal Land Developers

What the report says

Mbarara City’s fast-growing property market is drawing investors as urbanisation and demand for residential and commercial land increase, but local officials are warning that some developers are operating without approval. According to Nile Post, city authorities say unapproved subdivisions and illegal operators could leave buyers exposed to land disputes, poor access roads, and trouble securing building permissions or formal titles.

The report says more than 15 real estate companies are active in the western Uganda city, reflecting Mbarara’s growing status as a regional trade and investment centre. However, senior physical planner Carol Warugaba said officials have identified firms carrying out developments without the required permits and, in some cases, creating undersized plots that do not match approved planning standards or the city’s physical development plan.

The article quotes local real estate executives who welcomed tighter regulation and urged buyers to carry out due diligence before paying for land. Daniel Arinda of Africus Real Estate said the market has expanded since Mbarara attained city status, while Herbert Tushabe of Amity Real Estate advised purchasers to deal only with compliant operators.

The broader concern is that rapid construction can outpace urban planning and infrastructure, a challenge many growing African cities face. Nile Post reports that city officials want investment to continue, but only within planning rules meant to support orderly growth and protect buyers from fraudulent or risky land deals.