Findings of the National population and Housing Census 2024 revealed that 60 percent of Ugandans still live in informal settlements or inadequate housing conditions. The gap is driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic disparities. Closing this housing gap is a big investment opportunity under the tenfold growth strategy. Annually, over 1,000,000 Ugandans are born, putting pressure on the country’s housing sector. With a population growth of 2.9 percent, coupled urbanization growth rate of 5.4 percent, the country must build 300,000 housing units annually to bridge the 2.6 million housing deficit gap.

The Housing Sector contributes approximately 11% to Uganda's GDP. However, the mismatch between housing supply and demand hampers economic growth, limits employment opportunities, and exacerbates social inequalities. In the Sustainable Urbanization and Housing Progamme in the NDPIV, Government will prioritize well-planned and productive urban centres with affordable housing. Specific initiatives include the following:

• Capitalizing Housing Finance Bank and National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC) by extending credit lines targeting mortgage funding to low-income earners;
• Fast-tracking the establishment of a mortgage refinancing facility;
• Increasing access to non-bank housing financing such as Housing SACCOs; and Shelter microfinance facilities;

Developing and implementing slum upgrading programmes in urban areas through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs);