Kampala — In the 1890s when the city was designed, Greater Kampala was reserved for colonial administrators' offices and their residences. Old Kampala was a territory for the Asian community and the budding Ugandan workforce occupied Nakawa, Naguru and Katwe.

Today, Kampala city has outgrown the original seven hills limits and has engulfed its neighbourhood. Buziga is one of the priorities among residential areas. Its proximity to Lake Victoria endows the area with an eye-grabbing panoramic view.

This makes Buziga a target for property developers and buyers. An area LC official, Nalongo Segujja, says, what used to be a bush 20 years ago, is studded with plush tiled structures.

"By then a 50x100m plot cost between sh5m and sh10m," says Segujja. "But today, the same plot sizes go for not less that sh30m. Prominent personalities, politicians, expatriates and high-ranking army officers reside here."

Conmen have, however, fleeced unsuspecting property developers of huge sums of money in dubious land deals. This has made many undeveloped land owners to put up notices reading: "This land is not for sell."

A tour of the area is a revelation of high-brick wall fences with mean-looking security guards. Most homes had more than two cars in the parking yard and in the evening many, home-owners are seen taking their dogs for a walk, yet others take off time to enjoy their game in their swimming pools or just relax in garden chairs - privacy is treasured here.

The various hill summits have some of the best hotels out of the Kampala madding crowd. They comprise Buziga Guest House and Acacia Hotel. Tourists and corporate entities find the hotels ideal for workshops and retreats for top management. The hills give a bird's view of the city and its suburbs like Luzira and Mutundwe.

According to a commission agent, Jonnie Kisawuzi, land here is very precious.

"It is ideal. Being on the fringes of the city, Buziga has access to a variety of shopping centres, health facilities and schools, which is one of the reasons why its land prices are soaring."

He, however, says the young professionals define Buziga as a place for their generation, which is different from the age-old Nakasero and Kololo residential areas.