Uganda will join the rest of the world to celebrate World Habitat Day on October 7, 2024, in Kamwokya, Kampala.
While addressing members of the press at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on October 3, 2024, the state minister for Land, Housing, and Urban development, Hon. Persis Namuganza, called upon Ugandans to embrace the World Habitat Day celebrations.
“We call upon Ugandans to come and join us as we celebrate World Habitat Day, which will be celebrated in Kamwokya at Trasor Life Centre on Mutekanga V road,” Namuganza said.
World Habitat Day is celebrated worldwide to create awareness about decent housing and encourage stakeholders to emphasize and provide affordable housing more, especially in urban centres. The theme for the year is “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future.”
According to Minister Namuganza, this year’s theme therefore rallies governments and stakeholders to highlight the important role of the youth in creating a better urban future.
The Minister also added that there will be an awareness march in the Kamwokya Informal Settlement in collaboration with the residents and the local leaders, youth presentations and entertainment, and an exhibition showcasing items made by the “Mothers in Need” young women previously trained by HFHU.
Margaret Mengo, the director of program operations for the Africa office at Habitat for Humanity, said that there is a need for the government to create urban land where low-cost housing can be established for the benefit of low-income people, including the youth.
“Government needs to ensure that there is land secured where we can collaborate with government and the private sector to promote affordable housing. With 58% of our population aged 25 years and below and many of them moving into urban centers looking for better opportunities in education, employment, and better services, it is projected that they are currently at 3 billion people, and by 2030 they will be 5 billion, and by current projections, by 2050, 75% of the global population will be living in cities and towns,” Mengo said.
This year’s World Habitat Day celebrations are being organized jointly by the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development and Habitat for Humanity Uganda.
Other key partners include the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Kampala City Council Authority, Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, National Media Group, UWASNET, Uganda Land Coalition, UN-Habitat, ACTogether, Rainbow International School, Taibah International School, Makerere University, and Shelter and Settlements Alternatives, among others.
