The housing crisis in Uganda has deepened, with millions of people struggling to afford decent homes. The country faces a housing deficit of 2.48 million units, and about 60 percent of the population lives in informal settlements or inadequate housing conditions. This issue was highlighted during Uganda's National Housing Dialogue in Kampala, held to mark World Habitat Day 2026 and World Architecture Day. The dialogue aimed to find practical solutions to provide affordable and decent homes to ordinary Ugandans.
The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, stated that Uganda is currently producing only about 50,000 housing units a year, which is too slow to close the deficit. She emphasized that the challenge is not just about constructing more houses but ensuring that they are affordable and suited to the people who need them. Nabakooba noted that low-income families, young people entering the workforce, women, and workers in the informal sector are among those facing the greatest difficulty in accessing affordable housing.
High construction costs, limited access to affordable housing finance, insecure land tenure, and rising land prices are major factors contributing to the housing crisis. Nabakooba said that better physical planning and land-use management are critical to addressing the problem. Unplanned development is leading to urban sprawl, informal settlements, and higher costs of providing infrastructure and public services. The minister emphasized that government policies and laws, such as the National Land Policy and National Physical Development Plan, need to be implemented effectively to improve people's lives.
Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Board Chairman of Habitat for Humanity Uganda, highlighted the problem of people having land but being unable to afford to build a house. He cited the example of a young Ugandan who saves Shs12 million to buy a 50-by-100-foot plot but then struggles to raise the money needed to build. Nsibirwa emphasized the need for practical solutions, such as housing microfinance, savings groups, and housing cooperatives, to help people turn land ownership into home ownership.
Nabakooba said that the government is engaging with the Ministry of Finance and the banking sector to develop cheaper, long-term housing finance. She noted that conventional mortgages often require substantial collateral and formal land titles, which can exclude young people and families with modest incomes. The minister warned against reducing construction costs at the expense of safety and durability, emphasizing that affordable housing must be safe, durable, healthy, serviced, and dignified.
Habitat for Humanity Uganda National Director Paul Okiring said that the housing crisis should not be viewed simply as a shortage of buildings. He emphasized that housing is closely linked to health, education, employment, climate resilience, and economic development. Okiring proposed the creation of strategic land banks and investment in serviced land around rapidly growing urban centers. He also called for faster land registration and titling, digitization of land administration, and stronger protection of women's land rights.
The housing crisis has significant implications for the lives of millions of Ugandans. Habitat for Humanity Uganda Program Director Evelyn Frances Aguti emphasized that the statistics on inadequate housing represent real families whose lives are affected by where and how they live. She noted that poor housing affects people's health, access to services, and overall well-being. The National Housing Dialogue highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to address the housing crisis, involving government, banks, developers, and other stakeholders.
Key points
- The housing deficit in Uganda is estimated at 2.48 million units, with about 60 percent of the population living in informal settlements or inadequate housing conditions.
- The government is engaging with the Ministry of Finance and the banking sector to develop cheaper, long-term housing finance.
- Affordable housing must be safe, durable, healthy, serviced, and dignified, with a focus on climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing.
