The month of November came with a twist. It was crowned by VAAL Real Estate visiting the land of South Africa, a journey that was as much about business as it was personal. Last week, the team set out to engage with Ugandans living abroad, so, let’s take you along their journey.
Evaluating the investment landscape.
Our first stop was deeply personal, we visited some close friends from Uganda that became family in South Africa marked by brief meetings with the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Amoru and the Chairman COUSA, Dr. Daniel Echun. Walking into their space felt like stepping into a familiar warmth, a home away from home. We talked about everything, from the complexities of life in South Africa to the prospects of investing back home. And indulged in conversations full of nostalgia of the memories of home that linger in their hearts, and the languages that rolled off their tongues effortlessly. We laughed over the universal love and craving for Uganda’s signature dishes, from the freshly pounded groundnut stew up in the North to the sweet, and savory matoke of the Central and Southern regions alike.
As the conversation shifted, the mood turned more hopeful and ambitious. We held in-depth discussions on the potential for Ugandans living in the diaspora to explore real estate investment back home, and their enthusiasm was electric. They expressed great excitement for the work we were doing back home, showcasing innovative and architectural brilliance in the luxury real estate investment in Uganda space. and bringing a new perspective to what Ugandans defined as luxury with our upcoming projects. Hearing their excitement about our vision was a reminder of the deep emotional ties that bind Ugandans to their homeland, no matter where life takes them.
The Call to Invest.
The centerpiece of our visit, however, was the annual convention of the Convention of Ugandans in Southern Africa (COUSA) where they came together to celebrate Ugandan excellence in a foreign land they now called home. Picture this: a vibrant gathering of Ugandans convening to celebrate their heritage, achievements, and resilience in a land far from their roots. We were privileged to be partners in their great vision and to witness such a beautiful endeavor come to life.
And as partners in their vision, we had the privilege of sharing our story with an audience that was ready to listen. We delivered the wonderful news that Africa’s Gate to Real Estate was giving expatriates in South Africa a chance to do what they had always longed to do – invest in a landmark project in their home country, a piece of their history – while still being assured of making money in the process. We wanted them to know that partnering with us meant that we were making history – building Uganda’s tallest residential tower – together. And that meant that they could own a piece of their country’s heritage. This was more than just an opportunity; it was a chance to engage in a commercial real estate investment opportunity that could redefine how Ugandans in the diaspora saw their connection to home. Our Lead Property Consultant, Mr. Brian Arineitwe, in delivering his commendable speech, quoted very words of the 26th American President, Theodore Roosevelt, saying, “Every person who invests in well-selected real estate in a growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth.”
VAAL, being a company with multiple branches across Africa and the world but having its roots in Turkey, understood what it meant to operate in another country and identify with them while always remembering where its roots were. That’s proof of why we do what we do.
Most of us living abroad understand what it means to truly miss something. From the moment you knew you were leaving the country you were born and raised in, the house you were nurtured in, the language you cracked jokes in that couldn’t make sense anywhere else, and the friends you played with, – it felt like a part of you was staying behind. A part you couldn’t bring on a plane to your next destination. It sometimes felt like you were forsaking the true version of yourself, the person you were.
Though you were excited about your next destination, full of hopes and dreams, and though after years of tireless work, you had opportunities you never imagined, – you just wanted to carry that young, hopeful, ambitious child you once were, hold his hand and show him – “Hey, see how far we’ve come, see what we’ve built.” To show him that the sleepless nights, the early morning marathons, the late evenings in the library – all had a higher purpose.
Even when you settled down, found love, and had children, you tell them tales of the olden days when their life was all but a dream. To them, their history is merely a legend. You show them photos of a person they can’t recognize, of a landscape they can only imagine. You justify why it was called the land of milk and honey, the Pearl of Africa. It now feels like you are telling the story to a younger version of yourself, and they are so proud of you. All that was left was to figure out how to make that story a reality for them and to be the change back where you came from.
A reason to invest in Cadenza Residence.
That was the news we carried. And boy, was it the gospel they needed to hear. The crowd responded with a mix of awe and excitement. You could see it in their faces – the realization that this wasn’t just a real estate pitch. This was about heritage, identity, and creating a legacy. They were longing for it. Imagine someone preparing the perfect souvenir for you to hold dear, wherever you go. Knowing there’s a piece of your country you owned – not just any piece, but one of celebrated architecture, a glory you could wear like a crown, and a trophy you could parade through the streets. You owned space in the tallest residential tower in your country, a masterpiece of luxury, with amenities few places in the region could boast of.
You owned the dream. A marvel of architecture built by one of the most reputable African developers, a tower so tall few could compare, with luxury so plush it stood boldly on an international stage. Both a reason to boast globally and a beacon of hope for the children back home – that so much was possible. Cadenza was just the ray of sunshine at the edge of a glassy sea.
We gave expatriates a chance to do for their nation what they had always wanted to – build something that made history and redefined how the region and the world perceived their land. Add to their nation’s reason to boast. It was the perfect answer to the bittersweet experience of living abroad: the longing to stay connected to home while carving out a life in a new world.
And not only that, they make a worthwhile investment in the process. You might think something this amazing would have high returns, but some might have been skeptical. After all, the last they remembered of their country might not have been full of hope – that’s why they left in the first place. But new eyes and minds on the ground, like VAAL’s, meant a fresh perspective. We just had to look well enough for what we were searching for, and right there – a gold mine! Combining the prestigious location, the high-net-worth individuals in the country, and the fast-growing economic state of the nation made it the right time to reap.
They started telling the tale of hope when they returned home. When they gathered relatives and children around the fireplace on a cold night, they told the story of how they didn’t abandon them. How they didn’t completely leave the country. That VAAL had become their eyes and ears on the ground, as they shared in building a part of their nation’s history that would live forever – Uganda’s tallest residential tower.
How excited they were to discover this! Many were curious about what real estate investment entails and how they could work with real estate investment companies to build a future that tied them back to their roots. The event where we shared this news ended with us booking multiple meetings with South Africans of Ugandan origin who wanted to be part of the project. Our team spent almost an entire week providing detailed consultations with many interested parties. Some were already planning their return to Uganda for the holidays, where they could see the progress for themselves and finalize their commitments.
The week wasn’t just about business; it was deeply personal. It reminded us of the incredible resilience and ambition of Ugandans living abroad. These are people who carry their country in their hearts, even as they navigate new cultures and opportunities. Being part of their story, even in a small way, was an honor.
Our utmost joy was seeing the joy on their faces as they knew they could build their country in a monumental yet smart way, thanks to VAAL Real Estate.