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Timber houses are gradually making their mark in the Ugandan real estate market, years after their introduction. This could be a timely development, particularly given the world's current struggle with climate change, which has greatly impacted the environment.

Through a survey conducted in Uganda, Bierens Wolf, the founder of Easy Housing, identified a gap that timber housing could effectively address while also providing a solution to the on-going housing challenges in Uganda. Uganda currently faces a housing deficit of more than 2 million housing units, and looming environmental challenges. With Timber housing, a solution could be at hand.

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Wolf explains that another reason for reintroducing timber housing in Uganda is to establish a building system aligned with the circular economy, as opposed to the linear approach. In a circular system, materials can be reused multiple times without the need for demolition. He contrasts this with traditional linear construction; where modifying or moving a building typically involves demolition.

He states, “Traditional construction is linear, which means that you have to demolish a building should you want to move or modify it, unlike in the circular system where you can relocate the house or expand it to create more space.”

He emphasized that even after the initial construction of the house, should there be a need for expansion—such as converting a two-bedroom into a three-bedroom—the design facilitates such changes, eliminating the necessity for demolition or structural alterations. Furthermore, continuing along the path of traditional brick-and-mortar construction will perpetuate the degradation of trees and landfills due to human activities.

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Upon signing the contract, the construction process takes approximately four months until completion. Brian Kulubya, the marketing executive at Easy Housing, emphasized, “We boast the fastest building cycle in Uganda and the highest guarantee of quality work. This is because we prefabricate everything before it is transported to the site, making it easy to identify and rectify any mistakes beforehand.”

Whether or not Ugandans will appreciate this type of housing will depend on how the information is conveyed to them," stated Shem Sebowa, an architect with Darc Group. "The rate at which Ugandans embrace timber housing hinges on the strategies and initiatives adopted by various stakeholders in introducing it to the market. Effective communication and engagement will determine the speed of adoption and integration into Ugandan housing practices."

He further emphasized that despite the sustainability of this housing solution, it is imperative for authorities to establish building regulations before it becomes too late. "Once Ugandans catch on to the trend, it will be challenging to control. Measures need to be implemented to ensure compliance with rules and regulations."