HOUSING CRISIS! Namuganza Summons Developers, Banks for National Dialogue

By Evans Najuna

KAMPALA — The Government has called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to tackle Uganda’s growing housing shortage and improve access to adequate and affordable homes.

The call was made by the Minister of State for Housing, Princess Persis Namuganza, in a statement read by Dave Khayangayanga, the Director of Housing at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday.

Namuganza said Uganda will join the rest of the world on October 5, 2026, to commemorate World Habitat Day through a National Housing Dialogue at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

The dialogue, organised by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Uganda and other sector players, will bring together government officials, property developers, real estate investors, financiers, contractors, regulators, cultural leaders, academics, manufacturers and development partners.

The 2026 World Habitat Day theme, “Adequate Housing for All,” will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the state of human settlements and explore practical solutions to Uganda’s housing challenges.

“Government cannot close Uganda’s housing gap alone. We need a new and stronger housing partnership,” Namuganza said.

She urged the private sector to increase investment in affordable housing and develop innovative and cost-effective housing solutions.

The minister also called on financial institutions to develop housing finance products that reflect the realities of Ugandan households, particularly people earning informal and irregular incomes.

She further urged development partners to support catalytic financing, policy innovation, climate-resilient housing, research and capacity development.

Namuganza said local governments also have a critical role to play by strengthening physical planning, land management and enforcement of development standards to promote orderly and inclusive urban growth.

Universities, professional bodies and research institutions, she added, should contribute through research, new technologies, locally appropriate construction materials and skills development.

The minister also stressed the need to involve communities in housing programmes, saying they should be treated as partners in designing and implementing housing solutions rather than merely as beneficiaries.

According to Namuganza, the National Housing Dialogue will provide a platform for showcasing innovations in accessible, inclusive, affordable and decent housing.

The discussions will also address cross-cutting issues, including gender and youth participation in the housing sector.

The dialogue is expected to facilitate partnerships between Government and the private sector, promote best practices in affordable housing delivery and explore appropriate housing designs and technologies that can help reduce the country’s housing shortage.

Namuganza said Uganda’s housing challenge is closely linked to wider urban problems, including inadequate basic services, climate change and the vulnerability of people living in informal settlements.

She said Uganda needs to strengthen existing crisis-management mechanisms, promote resilience and encourage sustainable housing and urban development as cities and towns continue to expand.

The minister urged local governments, private-sector players, community-based organisations and individuals to identify and address bottlenecks affecting the delivery of affordable housing across the country.

She also called on stakeholders in the housing and urban development sector to use World Habitat Day as an opportunity to review existing housing delivery systems and develop more effective strategies for the coming year.