All is not well in the housing sector. Why? Uganda has a deficit of 2.4 million housing units, according to the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba. 

“We need to act now because the population is growing and if we do not address it now, the population of Uganda will be 100 million by 2050,” said Nabakooba, adding that the housing deficit is also going to escalate. 

She was addressing journalists on Monday, October 3 at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala. 

Judith Nabakooba (right) Minister of lands, housing and urban development interacting with Dave Kayangayanga Director Housing Ministry of lands.

This was convened by the Ministry of Lands and Habitat for Humanity to commemorate Habitat Day. 

She said every first Monday of October is World Habitat Day. 

Is Uganda celebrating? Nabakooba answered in the affirmative pointing out that Uganda’s national celebrations are expected on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Munyonyo. 

“The day provides countries, communities and all stakeholders in the housing sector an opportunity to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic human right to adequate shelter. It is also a reminder to the world of its collective responsibility to the future of the human habitat,” said Nabakooba. 

“All stakeholders in the housing sector are reminded to pause, reflect and review their performance in the past year, recommit themselves and martial resources to improve the state of their human settlement and housing conditions for the next year.” 

This year’s World Habitat Day theme is “Mind your Gap, leave no one and place behind”. 

Nabakooba said the theme draws attention to the growing inequalities and vulnerabilities that have been exacerbated by the triple ‘C’ crises – COVID-19, Climate and Conflict. 

The pandemic and recent conflicts have reversed years of progress made in the fight against poverty, resulting in the emergence of newly poor people who would have exited poverty in the absence of the pandemic, but remain poor, and those who have fallen into poverty on account of the pandemic. 

According to the UN-Habitat’s World Cities Report, the number of people affected was between 119 and 124 million in 2020 and between 143 and 163 million in 2021. 

Tackling urban poverty and inequality has become an urgent global priority. 

This year’s theme is also relevant to Uganda’s situation as we grapple with challenges of climate change as evidenced in floods, especially in the mountainous areas of Rwenzori and Bugisu sub-regions that have left many people homeless. 

The Covid-19 global pandemic has also shed light on slums and the dire living conditions of those who call them home. At the same time, it is providing an unprecedented opportunity to make cities more inclusive and resilient. 

As government, we are focussing on housing in slums to help them as communities not only to survive the health crisis but thrive in the world that comes afterwards. 

We have established that non-formal financing solutions such as SACCOs and savings groups can play a critical role in mobilising financing which can be augmented by Government through the Parish Development Model. 

 The time for change is now. But change in urban settings goes beyond providing adequate housing and services in slums. We must also work together to improve access to education, public health, safety, and economic opportunities for all. 

The venue and activities 

This year’s National Celebrations will be at Speke Resort Munyonyo. 

The Ministry in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Uganda will be hosting a National Housing Symposium and the theme of the Symposium is “Affordable and Inclusive Housing Solutions for all.’’ 

As you may be aware, Habitat for Humanity Uganda is marking 40 years of fighting housing poverty in Uganda. 

During this period, the organization has transformed the lives of over 1.5 million Ugandans by building over 200,000 houses for vulnerable members of society. 

The National Housing Symposium on October 7, 2022, is a high-level gathering that will bring together National and International Heads of key organizations, High Ranking Government Officials, Kingdom Representatives, Property Developers, Real Estate Investors, Regulators Academia, Manufactures, Financiers, Contractors and outstanding members of society to discuss practical solutions to affordable housing.