So, what does independence mean to me as a real estate agent? Of course, the literal meaning of independence is freedom, the freedom to be us, the freedom to be Uganda, the freedom to be Ugandans, the freedom to govern ourselves in our own Ugandan way and to take care of our interests as Ugandans. That is independence. It means we are no longer under someone's rule or the rule of the British or the colonial masters, but we are now ourselves.

In real estate, as an agent, we are yet to achieve that state where we can celebrate and say, "Now, wow, real estate has found freedom. Real estate is independent." Independence in real estate would mean the sector being recognized as a standalone entity, distinct and respected on its own. Currently, real estate is bundled together with urban planning and land issues as just a department within the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. But real estate is far bigger than a department, it touches everyone's life.

Every aspect of our daily existence revolves around real estate. When we go to work, we are in a building; when we work from home, we are still in a house. Even when we work virtually, we are in a physical space. Whether under a tree or in an office tower, we occupy land. Real estate affects our homes, our businesses, our schools, our hospitals, and even our farms. It supports trade through warehouses, production through factories, and logistics through storage facilities.

If you pay attention to real estate, it has a multi-sectoral boost effect, it can uplift the entire economy. For instance, traders use real estate as collateral to access loans that fund their businesses. It is, therefore, not just a sector; it is the foundation upon which all others stand.

If I were to be radical, I would say real estate deserves its own ministry, just like agriculture, tourism, or education. The complexities of land, development, and property transactions warrant focused attention. Urban planning should also stand alone. Only then will we realize true independence in real estate, when it is prioritized in national policy-making and recognized in all government programs for its immense economic and social impact.

When investors come to Uganda, one of the first things they notice is our infrastructure. The buildings, the organization of our cities, and the aesthetics of our developments speak volumes about our economic health. Real estate reflects the wealth of a country, and of individuals too. Everyone who earns money eventually dreams of investing in property. That's why this sector deserves more attention, planning, and support.

We have made progress, thanks to the continuous advocacy and "noise" from real estate professionals, policy makers are starting to listen. But we must do more. Taxation policies need to view real estate practitioners as partners in national development, not as easy targets. We need harmonization, consultation, and collaboration to ensure the sector thrives sustainably.

We should fatten the cow before we milk it. In other words, government must nurture the real estate sector through favorable tax regimes, education, and incentives, ensuring it remains productive and beneficial to the economy.

The government must pay attention to regulation, streamline licensing and land conveyancing processes, and minimize corruption and delays. There is need for tax holidays, incentives, and capacity building in financial literacy and compliance to help real estate businesses operate sustainably.

One of the challenges we face is the lack of consolidated, real-time data. Our information is scattered, making decision-making and policy formulation difficult. We must establish systems to collect, clean, and share real estate data efficiently, for better planning and sector growth.

Lastly, we need recognition at the highest level. The President of Uganda has not yet met us or engaged with the sector. He needs to appreciate who we are, what we do, and how we contribute to national development. Real estate is not just about selling houses, it's about building the economy, creating jobs, and shaping Uganda's future.

We still have a long way to go. On a scale of one to ten, we are probably at four. But with unity, government attention, and sector-wide reform, we can reach ten, where real estate in Uganda is fully independent, empowered, and recognized as the economic powerhouse that it truly is.

PLEASE NOTE: The above monologue is a response to the question, "What does independence day mean to you as a real estate agent?". That question was posed to several real estate agents to capture their perspectives on what independence means within their own sector. click here to read the responses from other agents, some of whom you may know.