My Story

Hajji Yasin Bakaluba’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of starting with humble beginnings. Born and raised in Bukoto-Ntinda, Kampala, to Sheikh Muhammad Sekimwanyi and Hajat Mariam Nakku, he experienced firsthand the challenges that shaped his drive for success.

He began his early education at a small local kindergarten operating out of a garage along Kampala’s northern bypass. His school journey took him from Bugembe Islamic Institute in Jinja to Bilal Islamic School in Bwaise, a walk he often made from Bukoto without breakfast, surviving on leftover sugarcane from Kalerwe’s delivery trucks. Despite these hardships, he persisted, later attending Bukoto Muslim Elementary School, Froebel Primary School, and Kibuli Secondary School.

I used to walk from Bukoto to Bwaise for school. I remember waking up at 5 a.m., leaving home without breakfast, and for lunch, we would go to Kalerwe to eat sugarcane left over from delivery trucks. I hated school because of such hardships.

At the age of 17, family circumstances forced him to leave home, marking the end of his formal education. Moving in with his mother in Kyaliwajjala, he spent three years seeking a path to a better life. At 19, he relocated to the United Kingdom, beginning as a parking attendant before moving into security work, a career he held for 19 years.

While working as a security guard, I had plenty of time to read inspirational stories. I saw people who went from rags to riches, and I was constantly enriching my mind with positive ideas.

Life abroad brought its own challenges, with high taxes and living costs making it difficult to save. Still, inspired by success stories of Ugandans who had built wealth from modest beginnings, Hajji developed a passion for real estate investment. He recognized that with the right mindset and steady income, anyone could build a home and achieve financial independence.

In first-world countries, the system makes it easy to get what you want through credit. Many foreigners fall into this trap, buying unnecessary things like cars and phones. I didn’t fall for it because I had a clear plan with a set timeframe. This discipline helped me save money

In 2021, after returning to Uganda, Hajji Yasin founded Bakaluba Property Services, focusing on commercial property development and trusted construction management for the Ugandans in diaspora. His mission: to help Ugandans abroad avoid fraudulent dealings in property management and construction. Since then, his company has grown steadily, earning a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and results.

Many Ugandans abroad have been exploited by their relatives when it comes to investing back home, but I am changing that. Over the last two years, I’ve built hundreds of houses for people

His expertise and vision have seen him share platforms with top industry leaders, including at the 11th UK-Ugandan Trade and Investment Convention in 2021, where he joined real estate luminaries such as Rajiv Ruparelia (Ruparelia Group), Judy Rugasira Kyanda (Knight Frank), Clive Keffold (Jakana Heights), and Michael K. Mugabi (Housing Finance Bank). He continues to be a sought-after speaker at conferences and forums on property investment in Uganda.

He advises aspiring investors to keep acquiring and holding property, building a portfolio over time, and reinvesting strategically. He advocates for improved land registry systems and streamlined local council approvals to strengthen Uganda’s real estate sector.

Today, through Bakaluba Property Services, he is dedicated to turning dreams into reality, one property at a time; for Ugandans at home and abroad.