Uganda is set to participate in the global observance of World Habitat Day on October 7, 2024, in light of the country’s ongoing challenges with inadequate housing facilities.
Uganda continues to face significant challenges in its housing sector, marked by a shortage of both quality and quantity of homes in both rural and urban areas, compounded by poor planning practices.
Current statistics reveal a housing deficit of 2.4 million units, with approximately 1.4 million located in rural areas.
Additionally, around 900,000 of these units are deemed substandard and require either replacement or substantial upgrades.
This occasion will provide an opportunity for Uganda and various stakeholders in the housing sector to assess the current conditions of human settlements and the fundamental human right to adequate shelter.
This year’s global celebrations will be marked in Queretaro, Mexico, while the national celebrations will be held at the Kamwokya Tresor Life Centre (KTLC) located on Mutekanga V Road in Kamwokya, Kampala.
The United Nations General Assembly, through a resolution passed on December 17, 1985, designated this day to serve as an annual reminder of the collective responsibility towards the future of human habitats.
All stakeholders in the housing sector are encouraged to take a moment to reflect on their achievements over the past year, reaffirm their commitments, and mobilize resources to enhance the quality of human settlements and housing conditions in the coming year.
This year’s day will be commemorated under the theme: “Engaging Youth to create a better Urban Future”.
It is estimated that by the year 2030, 60% of the urban residents worldwide will be under the age of 18 hence the need to tap into the energy of the young people to turn urban challenges into opportunities.
According to the Ministry Lands, Housing and Urban Development, this year’s theme is relevant to Uganda’s situation as the country is urbanizing at a fast rate of about 5.3% and has a high population growth rate of about 3.2 % and the majority of the population being the youth.
Princess Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, emphasized that this year’s theme encourages all stakeholders to acknowledge the vital contribution of youth in shaping a better urban future.
She highlighted that the Ugandan government understands the essential role young people play in fostering a more equitable and sustainable future. The minister urged all partners to collaborate in mobilizing resources to develop vibrant, inclusive, and resilient cities for the youth.
This can be achieved by promoting youth-led initiatives focused on climate change and affordable housing, investing in education, enhancing digital skills, and supporting entrepreneurship, among other strategies.
“This is vital to shaping vibrant, inclusive and resilient cities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.
The planned activities encompass a public rally, an awareness march within the Kamwokya informal settlement in collaboration with local residents and leaders, community service initiatives organized by residents and youth from HFHU partners, as well as youth presentations and entertainment.
Additionally, there will be an exhibition featuring products created by the “Mothers in Need” group of young women who have previously received training from HFHU.
This year’s event is being organized by the Ministry in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Uganda, alongside the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Kampala City Council Authority, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda Water Sanitation Network (UWASNET), Uganda Land Coalition, United Nations-Habitat, ACTogether, Rainbow International School, Taibah International School, Makerere University, and Shelter and Settlements Alternatives, Media.
The ministry has undertaken several initiatives to tackle housing challenges, including the implementation of the National Housing Policy (2016), which establishes a framework for housing development in the country; the National Urban Policy (2017), which guides the management of urbanization; and the Condominium Property Act (2001), aimed at regulating vertical housing developments in urban areas to mitigate urban sprawl. Furthermore, the Physical Planning Act (2010) has been enacted to ensure orderly spatial development.
Additional initiatives include the development of the Landlord Tenant Bill (2018) to foster a harmonious relationship between landlords and tenants, a review of the National Slum Upgrading Strategy to identify strategic interventions in slum areas, the creation of model rules for residential condominiums (2008) to facilitate their management and use, and the operationalization of twenty ministerial zonal offices to enhance access to land services for the public, among other efforts.
