Building experts in Uganda are raising the alarm over the growing threat posed by construction and demolition waste, warning of severe environmental risks to the country’s health and housing sector. They are calling for immediate action from property developers and relevant authorities to address this escalating issue.
Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka, Chief Executive Officer of the National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC), issued a clarion call while delivering the keynote address at a well attended Uganda Architects’ Construction Symposium, held at Imperial Hotel, Kampala, on September 20, 2024.
Kaijuka stressed that waste generated from the construction, renovation, repair, and demolition of houses, large buildings, roads, bridges, piers, and dams can significantly harm public health if not properly managed. “Construction waste is a growing problem, and we’ve seen cases like Kiteezi where waste has overwhelmed us. The bigger problem isn’t domestic waste—it’s construction waste, which no one is paying attention to,” Kaijuka warned.
He further highlighted the looming challenge, stating, “In the next 10 years, parts of Kampala will be demolished, and with that, the question is—where will all the debris, including tiles and nails, end up? Our wetlands are being destroyed, and much of this waste ends up in the lake.”
Architect Catherine Muyinda, Honorary Secretary of the Uganda Society of Architects, echoed these concerns, urging industry players to explore sustainable recycling options. “The construction industry must look into recycling waste materials like wood, steel, concrete, and asphalt, just as it’s done in developed countries,” Muyinda said.
She cited an example from the Netherlands, where old tires are recycled into pavers, calling for similar innovative approaches in Uganda. “We don’t have recycling plants for construction waste yet, but we must start thinking big,” she emphasized.
Kaijuka, also representing Finance Minister Matia Kasaija at the symposium, called on urban authorities to focus on land, housing, and population planning to ensure organized, sustainable development.
Mr.Vincent Byendaimira from the Directorate of Physical Planning at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) acknowledged that managing construction waste is an increasing concern across the city’s five divisions. “KCCA is collaborating with neighboring districts like Kira, Mukono, and Wakiso to enforce infrastructure policies across boundaries,” Byendaimira noted.
The symposium, themed “The Business of Construction in Uganda,” also addressed key topics including project financing, compliance, sustainability, and the use of innovative construction technologies as drivers of success in the sector.
Despite Uganda’s current population of 45.59 million, there is a severe housing deficit, with only 2 million permanent housing units available against the estimated demand for 9.2 million units. The 2016 National Housing Population survey revealed that the country has 7.3 million houses that are more than 50 years old, alongside 5 million semi-permanent houses and 3 million temporary structures.
With Uganda’s population growing at an annual rate of 3.4%, or approximately 1.5 million people, the demand for new housing stands at 300,000 units per year. However, the construction industry is only producing 100,000 units annually, far below the ideal minimum rate of 500,000 units that experts recommend to meet housing needs.
