Real estate agents, developers back govt' move to demolish all slums

KAMPALA - Different real estate developers and agents have backed the Government’s move to demolish or upgrade all slums in Kampala and the surrounding districts.

Richard Mawanda, a realtor with Tabula Property Services, says, “Eliminating slums will help to turn villages into towns, but good roads should be constructed. Besides, agents should stop selling tiny plots because they create slums.”

Catherine Nanteza, the Proprietor of Vision Consults Ltd, believes that while upgrading slums, the government should ensure the creation of zones for different classes.

She gives an example of the Soweto slum in South Africa, which is organized because it was zoned. There are houses for different income levels.

She says, also in Nairobi, Kenya, slums are disappearing due to the government’s strict policies and enforcement. 

Additionally, Jjemba Kanakulya Mulondo, a realtor, advocates for apartments, saying they accommodate many people and are easy to organise.

Meanwhile, last December, Hon. Persis Namuganza, state minister for housing, announced a move that will see Ugandans, especially low-income earners, live in organized neighbourhoods across the country.

She said all slums will be demolished or upgraded, starting with those in Kampala city and the neighbouring districts.

Catherine Nanteza, the Proprietor of Vision Consults Ltd, believes that while upgrading slums, the government should ensure the creation of zones for different classes. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)

If everything proceeds as planned, Ugandans, particularly those with low incomes, will have access to decent yet affordable housing.  

She says millions of Ugandans are in dire need of affordable housing, which is why many urban poor live in slums where they grapple with poor living conditions.

UNICEF estimates that about 70% of Kampala's 1.8 million residents live in slums, making them the city's lifeblood.

There are 62 slums in the five divisions of Kampala, with the largest, Kisenyi, accommodating over 42,000 people. “The issue of slums has been overlooked, yet it is critical and overwhelming,” Namuganza said.

She also warned tycoons who construct high-rise commercial buildings in slums. They have no parking or space for people to socialize. 

To make matters worse, some are constructed in road reserves or under power lines.  And when they attempt to demolish such structures, the owners demand exorbitant compensation. To Namuganza, that practice must stop.

On how the elimination of slums will happen, she says her ministry has started engaging the local governments to provide land for construction.

In other words, districts, municipalities, and municipal councils are required to offer land on which the ministry will mobilise resources and build affordable homes in an organised manner in line with the National Housing policy.

“Once we get the homes up, ghetto people will be able to occupy them,” she says.

Thereafter, when the slums are vacant, they will be demolished and the land reclaimed.
Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity estimates the housing deficit in Uganda at 2.4 million housing units, out of which 210,000 units are in urban areas and 1.395 million are in rural areas.