President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has committed the government to a new housing initiative aimed at providing affordable homes for the national workforce.
The President made the announcement during the International Labour Day celebrations at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School in Matale, Buikwe District. Addressing thousands of workers, he revealed plans to secure land adjacent to industrial parks specifically for residential development. This strategy aims to reduce the cost of living for laborers by placing them closer to their places of work.
President Museveni noted that the government will prioritize partnerships with private investors to execute the construction. However, he emphasized that the state is prepared to take direct action if private interest remains low. He indicated that the National Housing and Construction Company would be tasked with the project to ensure workers have access to decent and low-cost accommodation.
“We are really going to take it up,” the President assured, responding to long-standing concerns regarding the high cost of rent for low-income earners.
The move follows a call from Mr. Okello Musa, the Chairman General of the National Organization of Trade Unions, who highlighted worker accommodation as a critical gap in the current labor market. By establishing housing near industrial hubs, the government hopes to increase productivity and improve the overall welfare of the manufacturing workforce.
Beyond housing, the President discussed the broader economic stability of workers. He suggested that the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) could be better utilized by investing in infrastructure like toll roads to generate returns for savers. He also encouraged workers to utilize the Uganda Development Bank for low-interest loans rather than relying on expensive commercial bank credit.
Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo and the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, both praised the directive. They noted that Buikwe’s emergence as an industrial hub makes it a prime candidate for the initial phases of the housing rollout. The President concluded by reaffirming that safeguarding the progress of the workforce remains a pillar of national development.
