Govt seeks over sh1 trillion to build low-cost houses for the poor

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The Government is looking for sh1 trillion to construct affordable and decent houses in slum areas across the country for low and medium-income earners.

This was revealed by lands minister, Judith Nabakooba, during the Habitat for Humanity’s Home Equals Global Campaign National Awards at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday, February 7.

“It is time that we support the housing sector for all types of houses. We look at low-cost but social houses to accommodate government workers, especially those who work in districts where houses may not readily be available,” she said.

She noted that the proposal is already before the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, who was asked to sit with all stakeholders and come up with measures and a budget that can be spread over several years on how this can be achieved.

Lands minister, Judith Nabakooba. (Courtesy)

Nabakooba is now waiting for a meeting with Nabbanja before taking the issue back to Cabinet and once approved, her ministry is looking forward to tapping into the budget cycle in the next financial year, 2025/26.

“We know once housing is done, it can spur development because there are so many things that are done with the housing sector,” she said.

She added that a conclusive decision will be made after a meeting with the premier and tabling the proposal before the cabinet again, that is when the public has an elaborative strategy for the entire country.

“We are looking into tapping into the budgeting cycle which will be ready in June,” she said.

The awarding ceremony was graced by several dignitaries including MPs, people from the academia, media fraternity, and participants who competed in this campaign. 

Media competitions were categorised into print, online, radio, and television stations. 

Buganda Kingdom deputy prime minister, Waggwa Nsibirwa, also chairperson for Habitat for Humanity Uganda, said the Home Equals campaigns are advocating for affordable but decent houses to bridge the housing deficit gap which still stands at 2.4 million housing units, of which nearly 1.4 million are in rural areas.

“Habitat for Humanity came to help low-income earners get decent housing on credit. We hope this will help them to get affordable houses,” he said.

Nsibirwa stressed that they have partnered with different stakeholders including National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and banks.

According to Habitat for Humanity Uganda, a two-bedroom affordable house in an urban area costs approximately sh33m or $9,000 (doesn’t include the cost of land).  In a not so urban area, the cost is sh25m.

Nabakooba commended NWSC for collaborating with Habitat for Humanity Uganda to promote access to low-cost water.

Through this partnership, subsidized low-cost water services were extended to slum areas.

“They were able to set 33 water points in those areas and a 20-liter jerry can cost sh100, which is a fair price to slum dwellers,” she said.

She called upon potential stakeholders who can add knowledge to the housing sector to come on board and provide support to the lands ministry during this home-equal campaign.

The awards and certificates were handed to the participants by Nabakooba. Journalists who produced outstanding news stories were also awarded accolades, money, and certificates.

Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology was one of the stakeholders that participated in this year’s campaigns. 

Students developed affordable and decent housing designs and the best person, Benjamin Mukisa, was awarded a sh1m prize. Ends