Ggoobi directs local governments to prioritise affordable housing

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The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, has directed local governments across Uganda to take decisive steps to expand access to affordable housing, describing it as a key driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

In new guidance issued to all local government accounting officers, Ggoobi said increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing must be treated as a priority intervention within local government planning and budgeting frameworks.

He instructed districts, cities, and municipalities to gazette suitable public land for mass affordable housing development, noting that access to serviced land remains one of the biggest constraints to housing expansion.

“Increasing availability and access to affordable housing is a priority intervention for socio-economic transformation,” Ggoobi stated, calling for coordinated action at all levels of government.

According to the directive, local governments are required to allocate resources towards the finalisation and enforcement of physical development plans.

Ggoobi stressed that proper planning is essential in guiding orderly urban growth, preventing the expansion of informal settlements, and ensuring sustainable land use.

In addition, local authorities have been tasked with integrating housing-related interventions — such as home improvement campaigns — into their annual work plans and budgets. These initiatives are expected to improve the quality of existing housing stock while supporting low-income households to upgrade their homes.

Ggoobi further urged local governments to prioritise the provision of climate-resilient enabling infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, water, and sanitation services, to support emerging human settlements.

He noted that without such infrastructure, housing developments risk becoming unsustainable and vulnerable to climate-related shocks.

The permanent secretary also called for greater efficiency in compliance processes, particularly in building and environmental approvals. He said reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks will encourage private sector participation and accelerate housing development.

“Local governments must ensure efficiency in compliance processes, building and environmental approvals to facilitate timely investments in the housing sector,” he added.

Beyond housing units, Ggoobi underscored the importance of providing social services within human settlements, including schools, health facilities, and recreational spaces, to promote sociable and inclusive communities.

The directive comes amid growing urbanisation pressures in Uganda, which have increased demand for affordable and decent housing, especially in urban centres.