Overview:
To bridge a 2.4 million housing shortage, Uganda targets new low-income mortgage models, real estate regulations, and a blockchain land registry.
Uganda is seeking to introduce accessible housing models and flexible financing structures to address a widening urban shelter gap, as the country faces a deficit of an estimated 2.4 million housing units.
Speaking at the Law and Real Estate Conference in Kampala, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba noted that current commercial mortgage rates—which range between 16 and 22 percent—effectively exclude the majority of urban residents from purchasing homes.
“The housing mortgages available today are affordable for senior government officials and people with established businesses. We now want to plan for low-income earners like boda boda riders, market vendors and those starting from scratch,” Nabakooba said.
Alternative payment models
To bridge the growing urban housing divide, the government is urging mortgage lenders and property developers to adopt daily repayment mechanisms tailored to workers in the informal economy who lack structured monthly salaries.
“We need mortgage programmes that accommodate people who can only manage between 5,000 and 10,000 Ugandan shillings ($1.35 to $2.70) daily. Such arrangements can enable many Ugandans to own decent homes,” Nabakooba said, adding that extended repayment terms over 20 years or more could also assist young graduates struggling with high urban rental rates.
Uganda’s urban shelter shortage continues to intensify as rapid population growth and urbanization outpace the development of affordable residential properties.
Legislative frameworks and land security
Alongside new financing models, the government is prioritizing key legislative and technological updates to build confidence in the property sector. Nabakooba confirmed that the Real Estate Bill is being fast-tracked to establish licensing requirements and professional standards for property operators before the end of the financial year.
To counter persistent urban land conflicts, double titling, and fraud, President Yoweri Museveni directed the lands ministry to migrate the national land registry onto a blockchain platform to secure land records and lower transactional costs.
Global Real Estate Managing Director Fridaus Nambi praised the focus on legislative and structural reform, noting that sustained coordination between financiers, legal experts, and developers is essential to making urban housing accessible and sustainable across Uganda.