Uganda will next week host the second edition of the Uganda Real Estate and Housing Expo (UREHE) as the Government brings together developers, investors, financial institutions, architects and other industry players to explore solutions to the country’s housing challenges.
The two-day expo will run from Friday, September 25 to Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Kingdom Kampala Gardens under the theme “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Housing.”
Organised by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with Douglas Events Ltd and the Uganda Society of Architects, the expo is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine ways of reducing the cost of housing while improving access to decent and sustainable homes.
The ministry says the expo is intended to unlock Uganda’s real estate potential, promote orderly urban growth and improve land-use planning as the country searches for ways to deliver affordable housing across different income groups.
Housing deficit puts innovation at the centre
The ministry estimates Uganda’s housing deficit at 2.48 million units, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing policymakers, developers and households.
According to the ministry, conventional construction methods alone are unlikely to close the gap, creating a need for technologies, materials, financing models and construction approaches that can deliver homes faster, at lower cost and on a larger scale.
High construction costs and limited access to affordable financing have also continued to constrain home ownership, particularly among low- and middle-income households.
The expo will therefore showcase alternative housing designs and technologies while examining emerging approaches that could reduce both the cost and time required to construct homes.
Urbanisation adds pressure on housing and land
Uganda’s rapid urbanisation is another factor shaping the housing debate.
As more people move into urban areas, demand for land, housing, infrastructure and social services continues to increase. The ministry says this makes coordinated urban planning and efficient land use increasingly important.
UREHE 2026 is consequently expected to bring together public and private-sector stakeholders to discuss approaches that can support more orderly and inclusive urban development.
The discussions will also cover emerging trends in the housing market and opportunities for investment in the real estate sector.
Climate resilience becomes part of housing debate
The expo will also place sustainability and climate resilience at the centre of housing development.
Flooding, poor drainage and heat stress are increasingly putting pressure on urban infrastructure, creating a need for housing designs that can withstand climate-related risks while reducing environmental impacts.
The ministry is calling on stakeholders to develop climate-resilient, disaster-ready and environmentally sustainable housing solutions as part of the country’s broader response to urbanisation and climate challenges.
Government seeks stronger private-sector partnerships
Beyond showcasing technologies, the expo is expected to strengthen collaboration between Government, developers, financial institutions, professional bodies and other private-sector players.
The ministry wants participants to identify viable real estate investment opportunities, share low-cost housing solutions and examine financing and design innovations that could expand access to housing.
The event is also expected to promote greater institutional and regulatory support for sustainable housing projects and private-sector developments.
The ministry says the ultimate goal is to create stronger partnerships capable of turning innovative ideas into practical housing solutions for Ugandans.
With the theme “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Housing,” UREHE 2026 will therefore place technology, financing, climate resilience and partnerships at the centre of discussions on how Uganda can address its housing deficit while managing the pressures of rapid urban growth.
