A new construction innovation in Uganda is using locally available soils and agricultural waste to produce bio-stabilised earth bricks, offering a more affordable and lower-carbon alternative to conventional building materials. Developed by Leslie Kaneene, a Quantity Surveying graduate from Makerere University Kampala, the technology eliminates the need for conventional cement and energy-intensive firing. This approach seeks to make decent housing more accessible to Ugandan families, who often struggle with the high cost of building.
Kaneene's innovation, known as CoolBricks, has been refined through academic research and early pilot projects. The technology involves testing different soil compositions and biopolymer formulations, with collaboration from Makerere University and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The goal is to produce bricks that are not only affordable but also strong and durable, capable of delivering safe and permanent homes. Kaneene believes that innovation must be judged by its practical application, not just the promise of an idea.
The Housing Finance Bank Zimba Challenge provides an opportunity for Kaneene to test CoolBricks against the practical demands of housing delivery, including affordability, adoption, and scalability. The project targets reductions of up to 50% in construction costs and up to 90% in carbon emissions. Achieving these targets requires a careful balance between cost, strength, and durability. Kaneene's work has reinforced his belief that execution is everything, and a solution only matters if it can survive contact with reality.
The CoolBricks project envisages decentralised production hubs that could bring brick manufacturing closer to communities and construction sites, creating opportunities for local enterprises, youth employment, and practical skills development. This model could connect agriculture to construction in a new way, creating potential markets for agricultural by-products and giving them economic value. Farmers, producers, builders, and local communities could all have a role in the wider supply chain.
For CoolBricks to become commercially viable, it must demonstrate that its materials can be produced consistently, supplied reliably, and adopted by the construction industry. The technology must also meet applicable building requirements and earn the confidence of the people expected to use it. Furthermore, reducing the cost of construction does not automatically make homeownership affordable; households still need financing arrangements that reflect their incomes and ability to pay.
Kaneene sees potential in models such as rent-to-own arrangements, potentially developed in partnership with institutions like Housing Finance Bank. Such approaches could complement lower-cost construction by giving eligible households a more manageable route towards owning a home. The effectiveness of these models would depend on the terms of the financing, the cost of the completed homes, and the financial circumstances of prospective homeowners.
Uganda's housing deficit stands at approximately 2.48 million units, with the shortage expected to remain a major challenge as the population and urban centres continue to grow. According to Judith Nabakooba, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the housing question is closely linked to how Uganda develops its cities, creates jobs for young people, and enables households to withstand economic shocks. The country needs about 300,000 new housing units annually to reduce the deficit, compared with current production of about 60,000 units.
Key points
- Using locally available soils and agricultural waste to produce bio-stabilised earth bricks could reduce construction costs by up to 50% and carbon emissions by up to 90%.
