The State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Persis Princess Namuganza has promised Ugandans a better and affordable housing in the years to come through a partnership between the ministry and all stakeholders.
Namuganza made the remarks during a press conference about the 2nd edition of the Uganda BuildCon International Expo slated for August 10, 2023, to August 12, 2023, at UMA show grounds, Lugogo-Kampala, that was held at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Friday, August 4, 2023.
“One of the achievements of this Expo is that there is going to be showcasing of new technology and innovation in the construction industry, and which technology is aimed at bringing the cost of housing lower,” she said.
The Minister added that it’s true that the houses available on the market are very expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. The ministry has been having discussions with KCCA, Buganda Land Board, National Housing Construction Corporation Company, the District Land Board of Kampala and other stakeholders.
“The world today is discussing affordable or low cost houses. And that is why when you see our partners in that industry from India, they have high expertise or knowledge on how a house can be constructed at its cheapest to make the ordinary Ugandan afford to purchase it,” she added.
She said that they will start with Kampala which has a rapid growing population, reason they are encouraging vertical construction than spreading houses on the ground which is the purpose of bringing all the stakeholders together in order to ensure that land acquisition is done.
“We want to construct a house that will fit in the pocket of ordinary Ugandans and they are introducing a model which is called Rent to Own that for an ordinary citizen, a house that has been calculated ranging from Ugx35m-80m, which according to research, an ordinary Ugandan can afford,” Namuganza noted.
Namuganza revealed that, a house of Ugx35m will be having one bedroom, a Livingroom and other spaces that make up a house.
“If the house of Ugx35m is given to this individual, he or she will be able to pay for this house for over a period of time, and we are looking at period of 10-15 years. It will be like you are renting but at the end of the day, this house is going to be owned by you,” Namuganza revealed.
“By our colleagues bringing in new technologies in the construction industry, on the side of materials and other technologies, that is quite high to put up a house but it is all aimed on we construct a house at its cheapest, so that we are able to achieve our target. For example, a 2 bedroom will be at a range of Ugx50m-60m, 3 bedrooms at Ugx70m. But at an appropriate time, we shall be sharing with the general public to know what we are bringing on table for the country to be able to achieve affordable housing in the country,” she added.
Minister Namuganza said that, the world’s discussion today is about affordable houses because housing has become a serious concern worldwide, and therefore, Uganda is no exception.
The condominium Act provides for vertical developments for both government, private investigators and home owners. Also the division of buildings into units and common property, to provide for individual ownership of those units by issuance of certificates of title in relation to the units; to provide for ownership of common property by proprietors of units as tenants in common; to provide for the use and management of the units and common property and for other connected matters.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with Uganda BuildCon, Exhibitions & Trade Services India Pvt Ltd (ETSIPL), and Futurex Trade Fair & Events Pvt Ltd (FUTUREX) Expo theme is “Connect with the Construction Industry to Build a Better Tomorrow.” The Guest of Honor will be the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba.
