NBS Television in partnership with Housing Finance Bank will host the inaugural ?Housing Baraza? on July 25, 2019 at the Kampala Serena Hotel under the theme, ?Housing For Wealth Generation-Improving Household Wealth Through Uganda?s Real Estate?.
The Managing Director, Housing Finance Bank, Mr. Michael. K. Mugabi affirms that housing and shelter generally go beyond being a basic human need and have settled well in our norms and traditions as a means of wealth generation, source of livelihood and wellbeing. There is no doubt that with increasing urbanisation (now growing at a rate of 5.2% P.A), the shortage of housing continues to soar. Needless to mention, the housing deficit of over 2million units is further exasperated by increasing urbanisation which escalates pressure on the availability of decent and affordable housing. The National Development Plan 2015 to 2020 estimates that Uganda will need at least 12.6 million new housing units within the next thirty years to keep up with its population growth. This backdrop clearly demonstrates the huge challenges and the massive opportunity for all stakeholders in the housing value chain.
?As the leading financial institution in the provision of mortgages and housing finance, we have partnered with NBS television and other stakeholders to have ?The Housing Baraza?, and bring together key stakeholders and players in the housing value chain to discuss various interventions and avenues that will go a long way in addressing the deficit in the availability and supply of decent and affordable housing in the country, as well as address constraints from the demand side. The Bank has continued to engage with funders like the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank, French Agency For Development and NSSF-Uganda, for access of cheap and long-term funding in a bid to drive the uptake of housing. Housing Finance Bank has previously held the ?2016 Housing Finance Conference? and ?2017 African Union for Housing Finance Conference? through which different players in the housing value chain have continued to harness ways and avenues of addressing the challenges in the housing and mortgage space. This year, we are delighted to once again present another platform where we can amplify and augment the discussion on feasible solutions for addressing the housing market and challenges in Uganda,? Mr. Mugabi adds.
According to the Managing Director NBS Television, Mr. Kin Kariisa, ?our objective is to demonstrate immediately available opportunities for individuals and groups to access decent, modern and affordable housing by bringing together key stakeholders in the housing sector, to dialogue directly with the public in a town hall style engagement.?
This inaugural ?NBS Housing Baraza? will explore some of the following factors which include:
- The impact of Uganda?s Real Estate tax regime across the value chain from acquiring land to using completed developments as a tenant or homeowner
- Various local and international housing, construction and financial innovations that can contribute to reducing the cost of providing affordable housing and housing finance
- How group savings and investment vehicles like Collective Investment Schemes, SACCOs and investment clubs can contribute to achieving affordable housing and housing finance
- Urgent challenge demands, recommended collaboration between the Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and the Public in the quest to achieve affordable housing and reducing the national housing backlog.
The event will also feature a ?Housing Bazaar?, which will be a purpose-built, free-to-access marketplace, where our partners and other exhibitors will showcase their latest products, services and solutions in addressing the housing challenge in Uganda.
The ?Housing Baraza? is an initiative that will feature other partners like Uganda Revenue Authority, National Water & Sewerage Corporation, National Housing & Construction Corporation, Roofings, RE/MAX Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority with whom we are all committed to driving and sharing the latest knowledge and innovation, demonstrating best practice and empowering consumers in the quest to achieve truly affordable housing and housing finance for all Ugandans.
