📷 Experts discuss solutions to slums in Uganda

Experts in urban planning and architecture have proposed solutions to the slum problem in Uganda.

“Slum development remains a prevalent problem in Urban Uganda. So, the conference aims to discuss many strategies that can be widely adopted and implemented towards slum upgrading,” International University of East Africa (IUEA) vice-chancellor Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa said.

International University of East Africa (IUEA) Vice Chancellor Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa addressing the audience during the 6th International Conference on Contemporary Architecture & Urbanism at IUEA campus in Kampala

He remarked on the first of a two-day International Conference on Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism on Wednesday in Kampala. The conference is jointly organised by the International University of East Africa and the International Conference on Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism.

According to Emeka, tackling the slum problem in Uganda would start with organising the infrastructure and having a map that shows where pipes, wires, and cables, among others, are.

Dr.Emmanuel Ssinabulya, president Uganda society of Architects presenting during the 6th International Conference on Contemporary Architecture & Urbanism at IUEA campus in Kampala

“There is a need for a city map in this regard that can help the city authorities while planning. However, to work towards a smart city, we need to start with tackling the rural-urban migration,” he said.

Creating rural economic development zones would be a game changer. Here Emeka said that Uganda can extend development to rural areas. 

“For instance, we look at areas that are rich in agriculture resources and we create agriculture industries there. For areas rich in mineral resources, we create mineral infrastructure there,” he said.

International University of East Africa (IUEA) Vice Chancellor Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa (left) in consultation with Prof.Jose Manuel Pages Madrigal, Dean of the Fuculty of Engneering during the 6th International Conference on Contemporary Architecture & Urbanism at IUEA campus

Emeka added: “For areas where we can easily transition to green energy using the wind or sun, we build industries there so that people have access to opportunities like jobs and other services.”

According to Dr Amanda Ngabirano, a lecturer of urban planning at Makerere University, and also the Chairperson of the National Physical Planning Board (NPPB), the root cause of slums is economic.

She said by creating these economic opportunities in the rural areas, the flow of people into urban centres in search of better opportunities would be slowed.

“The rural needs the urban and the urban needs the rural. So, the Government needs to be intentional and extend autonomous institutions in the rural areas so that people there can access the amenities they think only exist in Kampala,” she said.

Ngabirano called upon the architects to develop a mechanism for working with planners.

“This is because when doing land use planning, we need to, first of all, think about people as human settlements are the dominant land use aspect. Failure to properly plan for human settlements, therefore, greatly impacts mobility and transport in these settlements. We have to note that buildings don’t make places, rather accessibility is what makes places.” she added.

Prof.Abdulsalam Shema making a presentation during the 6th International Conference on Contemporary Architecture & Urbanism at IUEA campus