Uganda has acknowledged key lessons from its past approach to managing public assets, with officials reflecting on the costly maintenance burden that drove the government to divest part of its real estate portfolio in the 1990s.
Speaking at the launch of the Uganda chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, the Commissioner for Housing Development and Estate Development in the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Irene Umoja, said the government’s earlier decision was influenced by rising costs associated with maintaining aging and poorly managed public properties.
She noted that while divestiture was intended to ease fiscal pressure and improve efficiency, the deeper challenge was not ownership itself, but the absence of structured and professional facility management systems.
“The challenge was not ownership alone, but management of facilities,” she observed, adding that Uganda’s rapid urbanisation now demands a shift toward lifecycle planning for public and private infrastructure.
The remarks come as Uganda continues to expand investments in housing, infrastructure, energy, and public services under long-term development frameworks such as Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP IV).
Umoja stressed that construction alone is no longer sufficient, arguing that sustainable infrastructure must be supported by planned maintenance systems from the outset to preserve value, safety, and functionality over time.
“Building alone is not enough. We must also sustain and manage what we build. A lifecycle approach is now essential, where maintenance is planned from the beginning. Property management, facility management, and asset management are therefore critical to ensuring buildings remain functional, safe, and valuable,” she said.
The Ministry of Lands officials said government is also implementing regulatory reforms, including the Building Control Amendment Act 2025, the Valuation Act, and the upcoming Real Estate Bill.
These, she said, aim to improve safety, transparency, and professionalism in the sector.
“The launch of IFMA Uganda is therefore a major step forward. The Ministry looks forward to working closely with IFMA International and the Uganda chapter to strengthen facility management practices and ensure Uganda’s infrastructure is well managed, sustainable, and delivers long-term value.”
IFMA Uganda Chapter President Henry Mulindwa said the association will support both government and private sector institutions in addressing long-standing gaps in infrastructure management.
He observed that many developers and institutions continue to prioritise construction while neglecting sustainability and operational efficiency.
“People rush to construct expensive infrastructure but pay little attention to its management, sustainability, and long-term value,” he said.
Mulindwa emphasised that the chapter will promote international standards such as ISO 41000 and introduce structured training and certification programmes, including Facility Management Professional qualifications, to build a skilled workforce.
He added that institutions such as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which already has certified facility management professionals, provide a model that can be replicated across government and the private sector.
“This is what our country needs—professionals who manage what already exists and ensure what is being developed delivers long-term value,” he said.
Mulindwa also noted that IFMA Uganda is the fourth chapter in Africa, pointing to more mature chapters in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana as benchmarks for industry growth.
Broll Uganda Managing Director Moses Lutalo who is also a member in IFMA said the launch marks the first formal effort to professionalise facility management in Uganda.
He defined facility management as the coordination of building systems, people, and support infrastructure to ensure safety, efficiency, and optimal performance.
“Facilities management involves systems like air conditioning, lifts, generators, security, cleaning, and catering—services that ensure a building operates efficiently and safely,” he said.
Lutalo contrasted facility management with property management, noting that while property management largely focuses on rent collection and administration, facility management goes further to protect asset value, reduce operational costs, and ensure long-term building performance.
He stressed that modern construction projects increasingly require facility management input at the design stage to ensure buildings perform effectively over decades.
“Facilities managers understand how buildings will perform over 40, 50, or even 100 years. That input is critical at the planning stage,” he said.
Lutalo added that IFMA Uganda aims to bring together professionals across sectors to align local practice with global standards and improve investor confidence in Uganda’s built environment.
He also highlighted the need to shift from reactive maintenance to preventive systems that anticipate failures and reduce long-term operational costs.
IFMA Managing Director Lara Paemen said Uganda becomes the association’s fourth chapter in Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing importance in the global facility management landscape.
“We are very proud to launch the IFMA Uganda chapter today. It is our fourth chapter in Africa,” she said. “We are expanding significantly across the African region because there is strong potential for facility management professionals on the continent.”
Paemen noted that facility management in many countries, including Uganda, is still at varying levels of maturity, with many practitioners unaware that their daily responsibilities already fall within the profession.
She emphasized that IFMA’s goal is not only to raise awareness, but also to strengthen the structure and standards of the industry in Uganda through professionalisation and skills development.
“We want to ensure that people are not only aware of what facility managers do, given the significant impact they have on the daily lives of individuals, but also to professionalise, standardise, and grow the FM industry in Uganda,” Paemen added.
The IFMA executive pointed to the organisation’s long-standing presence in other African markets as a foundation for its expansion strategy.
She cited Nigeria and Ghana as examples of mature chapters that have helped build structured facility management ecosystems over time.
“We already have established chapters in countries such as Nigeria, which has existed for 30 years, and Ghana, which has existed for 16 years. This gives us experience in setting up and growing local FM communities,” she said.
Paemen said the Uganda chapter will focus on creating a collaborative platform for professionals across the sector, enabling knowledge sharing, networking, and peer learning.
“Our goal is to create a safe environment where facility managers can connect, learn from one another, and work with peers,” she said.
“In doing so, we aim to build a more professionalised industry that also encourages young people to pursue careers in facility management.”
