Uganda

Country Facts:

Capital city – Kampala
Population – 45.74 million
Life expectancy – 63 years
Unemployment rate – 2.1%
Below poverty line – 21.4%

Find more country facts on: CIA The World Factbook – Uganda

Habitat Facts

Habitat started in Uganda in 1982.
Individuals served in FY 2019 – 62,330
Through new construction – 400
Through incremental building – 7,200
Through repairs – 2,655
Through market development – 52,075
Volunteers hosted in FY 2019 – 36

The housing need in Uganda

Uganda’s housing situation is characterized by inadequate homes in terms of quality and quantity in both rural and urban areas. The housing deficit stands at 2.4 million housing units, out of which 210,000 units are in urban areas and 1.395 million units in rural areas. An estimated 900,000 units are substandard and in need of replacement or upgrading.

By 2022, Uganda’s population is projected to be about 48 million. The population growth is expected to require more than 3 million more housing units.

How Habitat addresses the need

Vulnerable group housing

We provide social housing support for vulnerable rural households, especially women; vulnerable children; and orphans and their caregivers through the construction of homes with a ventilated pit latrine, shower stall and water tank. Families are trained in knowledge of HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, succession planning, inheritance rights, sanitation and hygiene, and malaria prevention. Recognizing the connection between housing and livelihood security, we support youth in these households to develop a vocational skill relevant to their local market, such as tailoring, carpentry and masonry.

Housing microfinance

Credit is a real challenge for low-income families in Uganda’s cash-based society. We support low-income earners, especially those working in the informal sector, to undertake incremental microloans directly and through partnering financial institutions in order to improve their shelter.

Market systems development

We offer institutional technical assistance to financial institutions and private sector actors to develop more competitive, inclusive and resilient housing microfinance products and services that serve middle- to low-income clients.

Urbanization

We partner with local governments and municipal development forums to address urban issues with a specific focus on urban affordable housing, hygiene and sanitation, promoting good environmental practices and economic empowerment to impact the lives of vulnerable communities in the growing urban areas.

What you can do

DONATE

Go to habitat.org/donate and designate your gift to Habitat Uganda.

VOLUNTEER

Join one of the Global Village trips to Uganda or lead your own. Contact us to learn more: [email protected].

TITHE

All affiliate tithe gifts are sent internationally to serve families outside of the United States. To support the work of Habitat UGANDA, please send your tithe to: Habitat for Humanity International P.O. Box 6598 Americus, GA 31709-3498.