HOUSING | ARCHITECTS | MINISTER

KAMPALA - About 2.1 million Ugandans do not have proper housing units, the state minister for housing, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has said. (By Abou Kisige and Jovita Mirembe)

“Many people stay in slums, either in two-roomed housing units, where a family of five shares space not occupied by furniture or in a house without water and electricity, built in the middle of nowhere,” Baryomunsi said.

He said Uganda’s biggest population is below 30 years and cannot afford to own a home in a decent neighbourhood, a reason for the oversupply of residential rental properties.

Baryomunsi made the remarks during the swearing-in of the 12th Architects Registration Board (ARB) at the High Court in Kampala last week.

The exercise was presided over by the Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera.

The board comprises six members, including Robert Henry Kiggundu, the chairperson, Miriam Lawino, the vice-chairperson, Jacinta Kabarungi Bishanga, a member, Stephen Sendi Kajumba, Verna Mbabazi Mwinganisa and Arch. Abdu-Wahab Nyanzi.

The sworn-in board members are expected to, among other functions, register architects, make by-laws for better carrying into effect the provisions of the Act; prescribing and regulation of the conduct of architects in the country and promotion of training in architectural sciences.

“You have taken the oath and we expect you to start discharging your responsibilities. We expect you to perform your duties with integrity, honesty, faithfulness, competence, professionalism, and a high level of ethical conduct,” Baryomunsi said.

Supervise construction 

Buteera lauded President Yoweri Museveni for the timely approval of the members of the ARB board. He said the appointment comes at a time when seven new cities have been approved and operationalised.

“The appointment also comes at a time when we have had construction sites caving in, causing death, fatal injuries and economic losses,” Buteera said.

He said construction of residential houses; business malls, hotels, industrial centres and shopping arcades are going on without proper planning and urged the new board to change this dangerous trend by supervising ongoing construction works.

He urged the ARB to perform roles that are geared at achieving the country’s sustainable development goals and improve service delivery.