Over the last 30 years, Knight Frank has dominated the real estate sector in Kampala and Uganda, by extension. This elite property firm offers valuation and consultancy services, residential and commercial agency, and property management.
Over the years, Knight Frank has curved a niche market on which it has built a large commercial and residential agency portfolio that promises and offers satisfaction for both sole-occupant and multi-tenanted clients.
However, behind this success the constant remains Mrs Kyanda, who, as managing director, has more than two decades propelled Knight Frank above the rest in a relatively fragile real estate sector that despite the rapid growth, continues to be dominated by speculators and unprofessional agents.
In 2000, Knight Frank, a multinational firm, headhunted Mrs Kyanda to lead the Ugandan unit while she was doing her masters in International Estate at the University of Reading.
And for 25 years now, she has fashioned herself as a top CEO and one of the very few women in a largely male-dominated industry.
She has been the steam on which Knight Frank has dominated the property market and has also influenced the transformation of Uganda’s real estate sector that has long depended on unprofessional agents.
Shaping the real estate sector
To do this, Mrs Kyanda says, she has been unwavering in her commitment to best practices, professionalism, and adherence to the highest industry standards.
However, she has also benefitted from working with a multinational for more than two decades.
Beyond this, she says, her leadership has been more hands-on than theoretical, which has allowed her to build a team that is confident in her actions, believes in her and trusts her because she is competent, authentic, and consistent.
She has also deployed a leadership style that is firm yet nurturing and interactive and instructive.
“I recognise how best to complement my team’s weaknesses and support them in becoming the best versions of themselves. I encourage them to push boundaries, make mistakes, and most importantly, learn from them. I lead with integrity and by example, never asking anyone to do what I wouldn’t do myself,” she says.
It is this philosophy that has helped her beyond Knight Frank to foster trust among clients, noting that “I have a genuine commitment to partnerships [and] intentional about collaborating to succeed”.
“Our relationships with clients transcend transactional interactions and evolve into enduring partnerships that we have nurtured over the last 23 years,” she says.
Staying ahead of the curve
Thus, Mrs Kyanda has been key in driving Knight Frank’s relentless pursuit of being the best, which has ensured that clients receive market-leading advice, consistently positioning the company ahead of competitors.
Knight Frank pioneered property marketing in Uganda in 1997 under the EAPA Limited.
The concept had been used in southern and west Africa.
Thus, when Mrs Kyanda took over, she ensured that Knight Frank lived the promise of delivering best through valuations that adhered to international standards and pioneered turnover rents in Uganda’s retail sector.
“Although we faced fierce opposition, turnover rents are now widely accepted and often preferred by tenants in prime retail malls. Beyond benefiting tenants, these rents facilitate data-backed research, improving retailer performance and optimising landlord returns,” she says.
Mrs Kyanda says Knight Frank’s success and leadership have partly been due to consistency in reputation, expertise, and market knowledge, among others.
“The company has built a strong reputation for professionalism, transparency, and integrity over the last 25 years, earning trust from clients, staff, and stakeholders,” she says.
Expertise is seen in having a team of experienced real estate professionals, which allows them to provide valuable insights and solutions based on in-depth market knowledge.
This, coupled with thorough research and analysis of the Ugandan real estate market, has enabled the company to stay ahead of trends, anticipate changes, and offer strategic advice.
However, being part of a global network also gives Knight Frank access to a wealth of resources, expertise, and international best practices.
Its client-focused approach prioritizes building strong relationships and understanding individual client needs, ensuring tailored solutions.
Moreover, innovation remains at the heart of Knight Frank’s strategy, embracing technology to enhance services, streamline processes, and remain competitive in the market.
“By combining these factors, Knight Frank has established itself as a market leader in the real estate sector in Uganda, providing clients with top-notch services and expertise,” she says.
Cultivating a thriving organizational culture
Knight Frank fosters a workplace that values and respects inclusivity and contribution, which Mrs Kyanda says strengthens employee engagement and ensures clients receive exceptional service.
“We are guided by our Group’s strategic vision, rooted in our purpose and values, with people at the heart of everything we do,” she says, noting that the ultimate goal in all this is to transform Knight Frank into a collaborative, innovation-driven business, which unlocks employees’ full potential, prioritizes deep client relationships, and ensures strategic foresight.
The power of teamwork
Even with such immense experience, Mrs Kyanda believes that the best a leader can do for an organisation is to build strong and diverse teams.
These, she says, are the backbone of successful organizations because they bring fresh perspectives and bolster problem-solving capabilities.
Energy Ministry Orders UEDCL Board to Investigate Top Management Over Performance Gaps“Nurturing high-performing teams is a continuous process requiring clarity, trust, and psychological safety. I and the leadership team ensure every team member understands and aligns with our vision and goals,” she notes.
Beyond this, she says collaboration is encouraged in decision-making, with clear responsibilities fostering efficiency and accountability.
The company also prioritizes seamless communication through digital platforms, while employees are provided with structured learning and development programmes to ensure that they grow and evolve professionally, while regular feedback mechanisms also enhance performance tracking and improvement.
Knight Frank has also drafted technology as a business tool to transform such as leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) for enhanced property viewings, implementing smart building automation systems, and harnessing data analytics for market-leading insights.
Adapting to market trends
The real estate market has faced various shifts over the years, especially with the impact of global and local economic factors.
However, Knight Frank has remained resilient by adapting to market shifts through closely monitoring economic indicators, demographic trends, and local regulations, adjusting to the times accordingly.
Mrs Kyanda says some commonly observed trends in the current real estate market include, technology integration, sustainability, urbanization, flexible workspaces and affordable housing.
Driving innovation in property management
The property management and consultancy sectors continue to evolve, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences.
The industry is seeing an increased emphasis on sustainability, artificial intelligence, block-chain integration, and personalized customer experiences.
“We remain at the forefront, leveraging its expertise, market insights, and global network to provide innovative solutions and improve operational efficiency while influencing best practices in the sector,” Mrs Kyanda says.
A commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is a critical aspect of real estate development, and while Knight Frank is not directly involved in property development, Mrs Kyanda says they provide professional advice to developers on designing buildings with energy-efficient features such as solar panels, LED lighting, and efficient heating and cooling systems.
“By integrating these principles into projects, we contribute to environmental conservation while ensuring healthier and more efficient buildings for clients and communities,” she says.
Beyond, consolidating current gains, Mrs Kyanda is leading her team to build a business for the future that is playing an active role in the net-zero movement.
“We minimise waste and environmental impact by promoting energy conservation, reducing paper usage, and optimising resource consumption. Our efforts are driven by staff engagement, industry benchmarking, and transparent communication of our sustainability achievements,” she says.
Embracing digital transformation
The rise of technology has seen Knight Frank leverage digital solutions to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and stay ahead of the competition.
“Online platforms enable customers to view properties with detailed descriptions, photos, and virtual tours, providing convenience and accessibility,” she says.
For instance, Knight Frank uses virtual reality for prospective buyers to explore properties remotely, which saves time for both customers and agents.
“Through data analytics, we analyze market trends and customer preferences, ensuring they remain responsive to evolving demands,” Mrs Kyanda says, noting that by embracing digital transformation and staying ahead of industry trends, they continue to offer a seamless and efficient experience for customers while optimizing operations and maintaining its leadership position in the ever-evolving real estate market.
Looking ahead
Knight Frank remains steadfast in delivering clear, tailored, and insightful real estate advice.
“In the competitive real estate landscape, staying ahead of industry trends is crucial. We continue to invest in digital capabilities, expand our local footprint, and enhance working environments for our teams. The future is bright and promising for us,” Mrs Kyanda says.
Who is Judy Rugasira Kyanda
Born on August 31, 1972 to Henry and Martha Rugasira, she was raised in a strict but loving family.
She went to Buganda Road Primary School from Primary One to Six before leaving for UK, where she studied at Ellerslie School, Malvern College.
She later joined the University of Reading where she graduated with a BSc. (Hons) in Land Management and later attained an MSc in International Real Estate from the same university.
After her bachelor’s degree, she joined Mason, Owen & Partners, a firm of Chartered Surveyors in Mayfair, London, but later returned to Uganda in 1995, where she started working with Steven Bamwanga (then a Land Economist in Uganda) as her first employer.
Mrs Kyanda later returned to UK for her Masters and it was while here that she was head-hunted by Knight Frank to lead its Ugandans unit as the managing director.
