Nabakooba Calls for Climate-Resilient Housing as Uganda’s Cities Enter New Growth Era

Uganda’s next generation of cities must be built to withstand the growing pressures of climate change, with housing developments designed around resilience, sustainability and inclusiveness, the government has said.

Speaking during the 20th anniversary celebrations of Akright City off Entebbe Road, Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Judith Nabakooba, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, said Uganda’s urban future depends on creating communities capable of adapting to environmental shocks while supporting economic growth.

The Minister warned that Uganda’s cities are increasingly exposed to climate-related threats, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, landslides, water shortages and other environmental challenges linked to climate change and rapid urbanisation.

“Uganda’s cities, like other global cities, are at the forefront of urban crises, facing unprecedented threats from floods, droughts, heatwaves, landslides, water scarcity and other climate-related disasters,” Nabakooba said.

She said the challenge presents an opportunity for Uganda to rethink urban development by prioritising sustainable infrastructure, environmental protection and communities that can thrive despite climate pressures.

“By prioritising sustainable urban development, we can unlock our cities’ potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, improve livelihoods, promote social cohesion and reduce pollution,” she added.

Climate-Smart Housing Becomes Economic Priority

The Minister said future housing developments must go beyond physical structures and incorporate climate-smart solutions that protect communities from environmental risks.

She argued that urban planning must consider resilience through sustainable infrastructure, efficient land use, environmentally friendly construction materials and inclusive access to housing.

“Urbanisation will drive the socio-economic and structural metamorphosis of Uganda through innovation, cultural exchange, resilience building, the creation of urban jobs and the provision of sustainable infrastructure,” she said.

The remarks align with broader continental ambitions under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which identifies urbanisation as a driver of Africa’s economic transformation.

Akright Model and Uganda’s Urban Future

The government praised Akright City as an example of planned urban development, describing its two-decade transformation as a model for Uganda’s expanding real estate sector.

Nabakooba said the country’s economic growth and rising middle class present opportunities for developers to create modern neighbourhoods that respond to changing housing needs.

“As the economy continues to grow by leaps and bounds, I urge all players in the real estate sector to tap into the new middle-income cohort to develop more affluent neighbourhoods, thereby changing the skylines of our cities,” she said.

She noted that housing has significant economic linkages through construction, manufacturing, employment creation and industrial development.

Uganda’s housing deficit remains a major challenge, estimated at about 2.4 million housing units, according to government figures.

Nabakooba encouraged low-income earners to organise into savings cooperatives and housing cooperatives as a pathway towards expanding access to decent housing.

Real Estate Sector Eyes New Growth Era

Nabakooba said Uganda’s growing economy provides a foundation for expanding the housing and construction industries, noting that the country’s exports and industrial capacity have significantly increased.

She highlighted Uganda’s transition from dependence on imported construction materials, citing growth in local manufacturing, including ceramics production.

According to the Minister, Uganda’s economy is projected to continue expanding, creating demand for modern housing developments and urban centres.

She challenged investors to move beyond land subdivision and embrace planned developments that create productive, sustainable communities.

“Let us develop concrete actions and solutions to address the most urgent housing challenges facing our country. Let us work together to nurture and grow our housing sector by making it inclusive, sustainable and prosperous for all,” she said.

As Uganda’s urban population continues to rise, the government says the future of housing must balance economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.

The call for climate-resilient cities places housing at the centre of Uganda’s development agenda — not only as shelter, but as an investment, an economic engine and a foundation for sustainable communities.

“The future of Uganda is housing as a fundamental right, and also an investment, and that future is now,” Nabakooba said.

 

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