Stakeholders in the housing industry have urged the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to address the growing housing deficit in the country.
According to the National Housing Plan of 2015-2020, Uganda will need at least 2.6 million new housing units in the next 30 years if it is to keep pace with its population growth.
Currently, the deficit is 2 million houses.
Different stakeholders such as mortgage giving financial institutions, policy makers and members of the public who convened at the Next Media Park in Naguru asked government to narrow this deficit.
Speaking on behalf of government, Dorcus Okalany, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing said that the NBS Housing Baraza could not have come at a perfect time.
Okalany said: “I have been remotely following this Baraza where you have covered areas related to making housing more affordable especially in urban areas. I want to commend you for this.”
The National Housing and Construction Company Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Kaijuka tasked government to ensure that planning is consolidated while addressing the deficit.
“Areas that are still free should be cordoned off and developed properly. The country must adopt a condominium law,” Kaijuka said.
The NBS Housing Baraza was held under the theme: “Rethinking the Design of Affordable Housing,”
Next Media Chief of Strategy, Joseph Kigozi,said that the Baraza will be a long-term engagement that all Ugandans need to be part of because housing is a policy issue.
Kigozi said: “As Next Media, we want to bring this to light and we are promising Ugandans that you will see more stakeholders in the housing industry coming to discuss real estate on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.”
