A space to share knowledge, create trust, and build homes together.
At Nest Uganda, we acknowledge that building a home is more than just laying bricks. It’s about realizing a dream, creating a sense of belonging, and investing in a future that reflects your hard work. But for many Ugandans especially those in the diaspora or those juggling full-time jobs the journey is far more complex than it should be with the already existing commitments making the process more tedious than rewarding.
Too many have experienced the pain of mismanaged projects, broken trust, and financial strain. We’ve seen the struggles, we’ve listened to the stories, and at Nest Uganda, we believe the answer lies in empowerment through shared knowledge. It’s time to shine a light on the root causes of these challenges and help others chart a clearer path forward.
Through our new blog series, NEST Conversations, we’ll be telling the real stories behind the challenges many Ugandans face in their journey to homeownership and sharing expert insights on how to navigate them with confidence..
In the coming weeks, we’ll explore key challenges such as:
Trust and Fraud
A big number of Ugandans have lost money by entrusting construction to dishonest contractors or well-meaning relatives who lack the skills or accountability to manage a project. In recent years, Ugandans have collectively lost over UGX 723 billion to fraud of which much of it is tied to construction and investment scams. From dishonest contractors to forged land titles, the risks are especially high for those in the diaspora or managing projects remotely.
Without proper oversight, funds are misused leading to project delays and eventually, loss of trust leaving damaged family relationships.. This leaves an emotional and financial toll on all the parties involved, especially when one is far away from home with limited control.
Financial Challenges
The cost of building is high enough but add hidden fees, limited access to construction financing, and unexpected budget overruns, and the burden can become overwhelming. This is especially true for Ugandans in the diaspora, who must often supervise remotely and deal with high transaction fees and unfavorable exchange rates. Without local financial options, many are forced to take informal, riskier routes to fund their dreams.
Communication and Coordination Gaps
Time zone differences, poor internet connectivity, and inconsistent updates from site managers make coordination extremely difficult especially for those who have no option but to manage their projects remotely. For those in the diaspora , not being physically present means depending on second-hand information that is often delayed, inaccurate, or incomplete which becomes frustrating.
Legal and Regulatory Barriers
Verification of land titles, securing of permits, and getting utility connections can be a minefield. Fraudsters “bafeere” prey on those unfamiliar with local systems, sometimes selling non-existent plots or using forged documents.. Absentee landowners are particularly vulnerable to scams, disputes, and unnecessary delays in the construction process.
Quality Control Issues
Without clear systems for quality assurance, it’s difficult to monitor the standard of materials or workmanship being used. Contractors often inflate material costs then cut labor fees to maximize their own margins leaving homeowners to bear the consequences of rushed or substandard work. By the time issues become visible, it’s often too late and too costly to fix.
These challenges are not isolated, they are widespread. They affect hardworking Ugandans abroad and at home, especially those without the time or presence to oversee construction directly.
In the spirit of community building, NEST Conversations will share experiences and expert insight with our readers to reflect, learn, and explore better ways to build as we strongly believe that the dream of homeownership should not come with unnecessary stress.
Welcome to NEST Conversations.
Learn more, Build better.
