Government to set up a special housing fund

MUHAMAD MATOVU

Many individuals and companies have invested in the housing sector but the facilities are not affordable to most Ugandans

Unplanned and ugly houses such as  slums is what characterises most urban areas because most people cannot afford to build decent houses.

Now government believes it could a find a way around this problem.

The state minister for Housing and Urban Development Dr. Chris Baryomunsi yesterday said government is to set up a special fund for the housing sector.

He was speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of 90 apartments at Najjera by a private firm, BuildNet.

"We are in the advanced stages of discussion within government and other partners to see whether we can secure money [for the fund],"he said.

He noted that to make the houses cheaper, government will provide free electricity, water and low connection to investors in housing sector to cut high construction costs.

"What we are doing as government, we are going to put in place resources and we have already started partnering with investors,"he noted.

Dr Ibrahim Semaganda the managing director of BuildNet noted that they are currently executing their five year strategic plan that includes construction of 4800 units.

He urged government to reduce taxes on building materials to enable them construct cheaper houses for Ugandans.

The Najjera project will cost Shs 19 billion and will be completed in October 2020.

 

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