The Ugandan government is seeking more than shs1 trillion to build affordable and quality housing in slums across the country.
This was revealed by the Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during the Home Equals Global Campaign National Awards event organized by Habitat for Humanity at Hotel Africana inn Kampala.
Nabakooba emphasized the government’s dedication to tackling the escalating housing shortage in country.
According to the ministry statistics, Uganda is currently grappling with a significant housing shortfall of 2.4 million units.
Nabakooba revealed that the Prime Minister has been assigned the responsibility of gathering essential stakeholders to formulate strategies and a multi-year budget to support this initiative.
She highlighted that more than a trillion shillings is required to transform slum housing into proper settlements. The ministry plans to incorporate this funding into the national budget for 2025/2026.
“We’re looking at a trillion-plus because replacing slum houses with decent settlements requires significant investment. We are hopeful to tap into the upcoming budget,” she added.
Nabakooba said government employees will also gain from the initiative, especially those located in districts where housing is limited.
She pointed out the urgent need to enhance living conditions for civil servants who frequently face difficulties in securing affordable housing in rural settings.
Waggwa Nsibirwa, the board chairperson of Habitat for Humanity Uganda, highlighted the critical role of affordable and quality housing during his keynote speech for the Home Equals campaign.
He emphasized, that housing is essential for many facets of life, such as education, health, and workplace efficiency.
He noted that to combat disease, having a proper home is crucial, adding that the quality of housing also impacts work performance.
Habitat for Humanity provides housing credit to low-income earners by partnering with stakeholders such as National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and financial institutions.
