In an effort to enhance the standards of living of people, government is planning to construct lost cost houses which will be accessed by the residents of Kampala Metropolitan at a very cheaper cost specifically in cities and municipalities.
The Minister of state for lands, Housing and Urban Development Hon. Persis Namuganza revealed this while addressing journalist at Uganda Centre in Kampala on July 3, 2023. She also said that the country is now facing a deficit of 2.5m houses and this prompts government to plan for these low cost affordable houses.
She said government is currently in negotiation with individual landlords and institutions like Buganda Kingdom to devise means of acquiring land on which it will construct the planned houses that people will buy on loan basis. The cost of these houses according to Hon. Namuganza will range from Ushs 35m to 70m but the residents will be paying in very small instalments which will be inform of rent for instance Ushs 150,0000 per months.
“The majority of our citizens can not afford buying the Houses constructed by National Housing , this is why government is coming up with such a project so as to improve their welfare and because of the ever increasing urban population they will be storied buildings. There will be other social services like churches Mosques and parking yard.” Hon. Namuganza said.
Namuganza also called upon other individuals in Kampala Metropolitan who have some big land to avail it to government in exchange for money.
The Acting Director in the Directorate of Housing responsible for co-coordinating the function of Housing and Human Settlement in the Ministry, Mr. Dave Khayangayanga who also attended the same press briefing said that government will give funds to the National Housing Finance Bank which will individual to access soft loans for construction of their own houses.
Khyangayanga said that government has earmarked to invest in the project to a tune of Ushs 5 trillion but it will be done in a phased manner and each FY starting with the FY 2024/2025.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also organized a second Uganda Buildcon International Expo 2023 which is slated to start on August 10 and end on 12th the same month.
According Hon Namuganza, the Expo will attract 100 exhibitors from India, France, Egypt, Turkey, German and United Kingdom among others to show case of the latest technologies in the construction sector and about 10,000 visitors are expected to attend.
A variety of construction material, equipment and house hold items will be displayed for visitors to get the latest technologies as well as exchanging ideas and skills concerning about the construction activities will be displayedns at Lugogo Multi-purpose hall the venue for the exhibition.
The minister also said that citizens will be able to access the service of land title search at no cost and those who are planning to build simple houses will also benefit in getting these plans for free.
By George Bukenya.