Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s growing housing crisis took centre stage this week as Finance Minister Matia Kasaija urged investors to close the country’s 2.4 million-unit deficit during the launch of The Bridge Kololo, a luxury development by Vaal Real Estate that promises to raise Kampala’s profile on the continental real estate map.
With 96 percent of Ugandans priced out of the formal housing market—where the average cost of a constructed home is Shs183 million—the mismatch between demand and affordability remains stark.
Median monthly incomes of Shs220,000 in urban areas and Shs168,000 in rural areas mean that most households can only afford homes valued between Shs12 million and Shs24 million, far below current market prices.
Kasaija said the government had eased the tax regime to support serious developers, streamlined approvals, and improved access to foreign exchange for construction materials.
“We have restructured our tax framework to make it easier for serious developers to succeed,” he said.
“Projects like The Bridge Kololo don’t just provide housing – they create jobs, attract international investment, and demonstrate that Uganda can deliver developments of international standards.”
He added that Uganda’s rapid urbanisation, with population growth at 5.2 percent annually, was fuelling demand for quality housing, making the sector both a social necessity and an economic driver.
In earlier remarks on World Habitat Day, Lands and Housing Minister Judith Nabakooba highlighted that housing and rentals contribute about 11 percent to Uganda’s GDP.
Yet supply falls short, with only 60,000 units produced annually against urban demand of 160,000 and rural demand of 134,000.
At the launch, Vaal Real Estate’s Head of Sales Brian Arineitwe described The Bridge Kololo as more than a high-end residential project.
“This is not just a project—it’s a moment in Kampala’s history. The Bridge Kololo represents a bold vision for how real estate can transform our capital city, connecting Uganda’s economic potential with world-class infrastructure and lifestyle,” he said.
Set in one of Kampala’s prime neighbourhoods, The Bridge Kololo will feature modern apartments and amenities targeting Ugandan professionals and multinational firms seeking staff housing.
Vaal says the project will generate significant local employment during construction while boosting Uganda’s investment credentials.
For many observers, the unveiling of The Bridge Kololo reflects a turning point in Uganda’s real estate sector—where luxury developments, economic opportunity, and the challenge of bridging the housing deficit now converge.
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