Minister Nabakooba Champions Affordable and Inclusive Housing at Kampala Expo

Uganda’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, has challenged stakeholders in the real estate and housing sector to prioritize affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability as the country grapples with a growing housing deficit.

Speaking at the inaugural Real Estate and Housing Expo 2025 at Katikati Grounds in Kampala, Nabakooba highlighted the urgent need to align housing development with Uganda’s rapid population growth and urbanization trends.

“I normally emphasize affordability, which affordability is relative, but we need to think about affordability. How can we achieve affordability as key players in housing?” she asked.

Uganda’s Housing Gap

Uganda currently faces a housing deficit of 2.4 million units. With the country’s population growing by over a million people each year—driven by a 2.9% annual growth rate and 5.4% urbanization rate—demand for decent housing continues to outpace supply.

While the need stands at about 300,000 housing units annually, current developers deliver only about 60,000 units per year, leaving a significant shortfall.

“This is an opportunity for players in the housing and real estate sector to see how the gap can be covered,” Nabakooba urged.

She further distinguished between affordable housing and low-cost housing, noting that both must be addressed, especially for government workers and people living in hard-to-reach areas.

Global and National Context

The Expo, held in partnership with Douglas Events Ltd and other private sector partners, coincides with World Habitat Week, a global campaign that emphasizes adequate shelter as a fundamental human right.

This year’s theme, “Unlocking Uganda’s Real Estate Potential: Resilient by Design, Affordable by Intent”, reflects the UN’s call to tackle the global urban crisis with sustainable solutions.

Nabakooba emphasized that resilience and sustainability must be at the heart of Uganda’s urban development agenda, particularly as climate change impacts such as floods, droughts, and landslides increasingly threaten cities.

“How do we build cities that are adaptable, inclusive, and thriving? By prioritizing sustainable urban development, we can unlock the potential of our cities to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance livelihoods,” she said.

Economic Significance of Real Estate

The real estate sector is one of Uganda’s fastest-growing industries, contributing 7.5% to GDP and ranking as the second-largest employer after agriculture. Analysts project an 8.1% annual growth rate in the construction industry over the next decade, fueled by both private and public sector investments.

Nabakooba pointed to the National Housing Policy of 2016 as the guiding framework, which repositioned government’s role from direct housing provision to creating an enabling environment for private developers. She called for deeper collaboration between government, the private sector, and communities to translate discussions into tangible results.

“Our strength is in collaboration. Let us advance the conversation to practical solutions and involve corporate action to address the most pressing housing challenges facing Ugandans,” she urged.

Private Sector Driving Growth

Douglas Mukwaya, CEO of Douglas Events Ltd, described the expo as a groundbreaking initiative set to transform housing and urban development in Uganda. He applauded the support of private sector partners—including Centum Real Estate, KCB Bank, Housing Finance Bank, MTN Uganda, and several property developers—whose innovations continue to shape the country’s housing future.

The three-day Expo, running from September 26–28, 2025, brings together government agencies, civil society, developers, financiers, and the public to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and chart a path toward a more sustainable and inclusive housing sector.

As Uganda seeks to balance rapid urbanization with the right to decent housing, Nabakooba’s call for affordability, resilience, and collaboration underscores the urgency of rethinking how the country builds for its future.