Housing Finance Bank joined residents, partners, and stakeholders at Akright City on Entebbe Road to celebrate 20 years of organised urban development and its contribution to Uganda’s transformation through the Akright City 20th Anniversary Marathon.
The marathon, held as part of Akright City’s anniversary celebrations, brought together residents, businesses, development partners, and the wider community to commemorate two decades of planned urban development under the theme: “Celebrating 20 Years of Organised City Development as a Driver of the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, Anchored on Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral-Based Industrialisation, and Science, Technology and Innovation (ATMS).”
Since its establishment in 2006, Akright City has grown from an undeveloped area into one of Uganda’s leading planned residential and commercial developments. The city, which began with about 500 residents, now hosts more than 15,000 people and represents an estimated investment of nearly US$500 million.
Speaking at the event, Hellen Musubika Kanobere, Acting Head of Mortgages and Consumer Banking at Housing Finance Bank, said the bank’s participation reflects its commitment to supporting sustainable communities and expanding access to quality housing.
“At Housing Finance Bank, we believe housing goes beyond providing shelter. It is about creating communities where people can live, work, and thrive. Akright City demonstrates how organised urban development can transform lives, stimulate economic growth, and create opportunities for generations to come. We are proud to be part of this journey and to continue supporting Ugandans in achieving their homeownership aspirations,” she said.
Over the past two decades, Akright City has expanded across approximately 1,700 acres and now features more than 1,500 residential homes, commercial developments, industrial facilities, schools, recreational spaces, and essential community services. The development has also contributed to job creation in sectors including construction, hospitality, retail, and education.
Housing Finance Bank’s participation in the marathon reinforces its role as a key partner in Uganda’s housing ecosystem by supporting initiatives that promote planned urban development and address the country’s growing housing needs.
Over the years, the bank has partnered with property developers, contractors, and other players across the housing value chain to make homeownership more achievable for Ugandans. Through these partnerships, Housing Finance Bank provides financing solutions that support the development and purchase of quality homes while enabling customers to access affordable housing.
The bank continues to offer tailored housing finance solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers. These include home loans and commercial mortgages. In addition, products such as the Zimba Mpola Mpola Incremental Housing Loan enable customers to build their homes gradually in phases, making homeownership more affordable and accessible by eliminating the need for a large upfront investment. The bank also offers flexible mortgage repayment periods and competitive financing options that accommodate different income levels, making it easier for more Ugandans to own homes.
As Uganda continues to experience rapid urbanisation and faces a housing deficit estimated at more than 2.4 million units, Housing Finance Bank remains committed to working with the government, developers, and other stakeholders to expand access to affordable housing and support the growth of sustainable communities.
The Akright City anniversary celebrations highlighted the impact of visionary planning, collaboration, and community development in advancing Uganda’s urban transformation and economic growth.
