National Housing Policy 2016.

This National Housing Policy is is intended to address the various critical issues and challenges facing the housing sector. The goal of the policy is “to provide a framework that promotes adequate housing for all”.
Housing is a basic human right, essential for the well-being of all mankind. The overall housing situation in the country is characterized by inadequate housing in terms of quality and quantity both in rural and urban areas with a housing deficit of about 1.6 million housing units. Currently over 80% of Uganda’s population live in rural areas. Their settlements are characterized by scattered homesteads, with very minimal basic infrastructure services. The scattered nature of rural settlements as well as land ownership system makes it very difficult and expensive to provide basic infrastructure and services. To improve the quality of houses and the settlement patterns of rural housing and also ensure sustainable access to basic services, strategies are proposed: (i) Continually improve the technologies and materials being used in house construction in rural areas. (ii) Promote and sensitize the rural population on the merits of living in properly planned settlements and houses. (iii) Integrate policies that guarantee access to basic services such as water, energy and waste management. (iv) Sensitize the population on the use of decentralized renewable energy systems such as solar lighting and adoption of improved cook stoves. The Policy promotes to mainstream gender at all stages of human settlements development through strategies: (i) Sensitize the public in gender mainstreaming in housing. (ii) Design housing projects and programs especially targeting women involvement in housing development. (iii) Research and document gender related information on housing. (iv) Advocate for women to be accorded full and equal rights to own and inherit land and other properties, and the right to adequate housing. To enable vulnerable groups to access adequate housing, the Policy sets up the following strategies: (i) Undertake interventions aimed at housing the vulnerable. (ii) Sensitize professionals and other stakeholders involved in the housing delivery to appreciate the special needs of vulnerable groups when designing housing projects and programs. (iii) Encourage vulnerable groups to participate actively in all housing schemes by strengthening relations with community-based organizations and by promoting the formation of self-help groups.