Matrix City Developers

18/06/2025

The Unplanned Reality

In the heart of Kampala, slum areas sprawl like a patchwork quilt, each thread representing a story of struggle and resilience. These communities are often blamed on "poor urban planning," but the truth is more complex.

The Reality

These slum areas aren't planned at all. They're growing organically, driven by necessity and circumstance. People are building their homes and lives without guidance from urban planners or formal development plans.

The Challenge

The problem isn't poor planning but rather a lack of planning altogether. The city is growing faster than its infrastructure, leaving many communities without access to basic services like sanitation, water, and electricity.

The Need for Change

There's a pressing need for inclusive, sustainable plans that uplift these communities and provide them with the services they deserve. Urban development isn't just about designing spaces; it's about people, their needs, struggles, and aspirations.

The Way Forward

By acknowledging the reality of unplanned growth, we can work towards creating better futures for these communities. It's time to prioritize people-centered planning that addresses the unique challenges of urbanization.

04/06/2025

An Open Letter to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Leadership

Dear Esteemed Leaders of the National Resistance Movement,

As we approach a new term of leadership, we, the citizens of Uganda, take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the strides your leadership has made in promoting national development and welfare. However, we would like to bring to your attention a critical issue that affects the well-being and dignity of our citizens: the pressing need for better housing solutions, particularly for the vulnerable members of our society.

The Housing Challenge in Uganda
Access to decent and affordable housing remains a significant challenge for many Ugandans. The consequences of inadequate housing are far-reaching, affecting not only the physical health but also the mental well-being and economic stability of individuals and families. The vulnerable, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income families, are disproportionately affected, often living in precarious conditions that exacerbate their vulnerability.

A Call to Action
In light of the above, we respectfully request that your next term leadership prioritizes the provision of better housing solutions, with a specific focus on the following key areas:

1. *Free Housing for the Vulnerable*: We urge your leadership to implement programs that provide free housing for those who cannot afford it. This initiative would not only improve the living conditions of the vulnerable but also enhance their dignity and quality of life.
2. *Affordable Housing Options*: Increasing access to affordable housing for low- and middle-income families is crucial. This can be achieved through innovative financing models, partnerships with the private sector, and the development of housing projects that cater to the needs of these groups.
3. *Improved Housing Infrastructure*: Enhancing the quality and sustainability of housing developments is essential. This includes investing in infrastructure that supports safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly living conditions.

The Benefits of Addressing Housing Needs
By prioritizing housing, your leadership can make a profound impact on the lives of Ugandans. The benefits of addressing housing needs include:

1. *Improved Living Standards*: Decent housing is fundamental to the well-being and dignity of individuals and families. By providing better housing solutions, your leadership can significantly improve living standards across the country.
2. *Poverty Reduction*: Housing is a critical component of economic stability. By making housing more accessible and affordable, your leadership can help reduce poverty and create a more equitable society.
3. *Social Cohesion*: Adequate housing fosters a sense of community and inclusivity. By addressing housing needs, your leadership can promote social cohesion and contribute to a more harmonious society.

Conclusion
As you embark on your next term, we believe that your leadership has a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of Ugandans. By prioritizing housing and implementing policies that address the needs of the vulnerable and the broader population, your leadership can contribute to a more prosperous, equitable, and dignified society for all.

We look forward to seeing your commitment to addressing the housing needs of our nation.

Sincerely,
Lubadde Rahim
[email protected]
Matrix City Developers

04/06/2025

*WHY POLITICAL PARTIES MUST PRIORITIZE DECENT HOUSING IN THEIR AGENDAS?*

As Uganda continues its journey toward national development, recurring promises of jobs, healthcare, and education dominate political campaigns. However, one fundamental aspect remains either misinterpreted or treated as trivial in most political manifestos: decent housing.

This oversight has contributed significantly to the unchecked growth of slums and informal settlements across the country, compounding urban challenges and undermining sustainable development goals.

While in the 1970s Uganda’s most urgent need was the restoration of security both for life and property contemporary leaders must recognize that housing is now the defining need of this generation. The stability, dignity, and socio-economic progress of Ugandan families depend on it.

*The Housing Crisis in Uganda*

Uganda's housing sector faces a significant deficit. According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the country has a housing deficit of 2.4 million units, with 210,000 units in urban areas and 1.395 million in rural areas. The 2023 Africa Housing Finance (AHF) Report further highlights that only 30% of Ugandans can afford to build a decent house, primarily due to low incomes and high construction costs.

In urban centers like Kampala, the situation is dire. A 2023 World Bank Report indicated that 41.7% of Uganda’s urban population is currently living in slums. These areas are characterized by overcrowded conditions, inadequate infrastructure, sewage and solid waste across all streets, flooding and limited access to basic services.

*Challenges in Urban Planning and Infrastructure*

The rapid urbanization in Uganda has outpaced the development of necessary infrastructure. Slums often lack proper road networks, leading to blocked pathways and poor waste management. Encroachment on road reserves and wetlands further exacerbates flooding and environmental degradation. These issues not only affect the quality of life for residents but also pose significant challenges to urban planning and governance.

*The Need for Comprehensive Housing Policies*

To address these challenges, political parties must integrate housing into their development agendas through;

· Supporting Physical Planners and Engineers: Investing in human capital to design and implement sustainable housing solutions.
· Land Ownership and Use Reforms: Ensuring equitable access to land and enforcing land use regulations to prevent encroachment and misuse. This will reduce the burden of small plot subdivisions and compatibility fulfillment.
· Neighborhood Planning: Developing and implementing comprehensive neighborhood plans that include infrastructure, sanitation, and green spaces.
· Enforcing Planning and Construction Standards: Holding all citizens, regardless of status, accountable to local and national planning and construction standards.

*Learning from Regional Examples*

Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré has taken a radical step: pushing for free, dignified housing for citizens as part of a broader social contract. His administration recognizes that housing is not a luxury, but a right. Countries like Kenya and Tanzania have made strides in addressing housing deficits through public-private partnerships and innovative financing models. Uganda can draw lessons from these nations to develop context-specific solutions that cater to its unique challenges.

*Conclusion*

As Uganda continues to grow, prioritizing decent housing is not just a matter of infrastructure but a fundamental human right. Political parties must recognize the importance of housing in their development agendas and commit to policies that ensure all Ugandans have access to safe, affordable, and dignified living conditions. Only then can the country achieve sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Lubadde Rahim
[email protected]
The writer is a physical planner

29/05/2025

*A Plea to the President: Save Uganda's Physical Planning from Chaos..!!😭

In the land of beauty and wonder, where the sun rises over the rolling hills and the Nile River flows majestically, lies a crisis that threatens to undo all progress. Physical planning, the backbone of any thriving nation, has been reduced to a mere afterthought. The very institutions tasked with ensuring orderly development seem to be mere spectators as chaos unfolds.😭😭

Roads, once envisioned as arteries of progress, are now choked with encroachments, their integrity compromised by the whims of the powerful. Wetlands, nature's gift to humanity, are being depleted at an alarming rate, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation. Forest reserves, once pristine and untouched, are being sold to the highest bidder, their beauty and biodiversity lost forever.😭😭

Meanwhile, slums mushroom, breeding grounds for poverty, disease, and despair. The citizens, once law-abiding and respectful, have taken it upon themselves to rewrite the rules, disregarding the carefully laid plans and regulations.😭😭

Mr. President, we call upon you to intervene in this madness. We implore you to take a closer look at the state of physical planning in Uganda and take decisive action to restore order. The future of our nation depends on it.❤️

Let us not forget, Mr. President, that a nation that fails to plan is a nation that plans to fail. We cannot afford to fail. Uganda deserves better.👍
So, we ask, where are the watchdogs of physical planning? Where are the guardians of our environment? Have they all gone on long holidays, leaving the citizens to fend for themselves?😭😭

The answer, Mr. President, lies in your hands, because all other parties have crossed their hands, looking at the catastrophe eating us.👍👍

Lubadde Rahim
Physical Planner
Email: [email protected]

30/04/2025

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE

To His Excellency the President, Honorable Cabinet Members, Leaders, Members of Parliament, Physical Planning Cadres, and Commissioners in Land use and governance:

Subject: Prioritizing Physical Planning for Sustainable Urban Development

We are writing to bring to your esteemed attention the pressing urban challenges facing our nation due to the Rapid urbanization that has resulted in numerous issues, including the proliferation of slum developments, inadequate infrastructure, poor housing conditions, destruction it natural resources and increased vulnerability to flooding. These challenges underscore the urgent need for effective physical planning to shape the future of our urban centers.

The lack of prioritization of physical planning has led to unplanned development, compromising the aesthetic appeal and livability of our cities. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure, including insufficient roads, public transport, and utilities, hinders economic growth and development.

To address these challenges, we strongly advocate for the prioritization of physical planning. By integrating planning into urban development, we can create sustainable, livable, and thriving cities. Employing skilled planners and allocating sufficient resources for planning initiatives and infrastructure development are crucial steps in this regard.

We respectfully urge Your Excellencies and Honorable Members to consider the long-term benefits of investing in physical planning. Effective planning will not only improve the quality of life for citizens but also foster sustainable development and economic growth.

To move forward, we propose the following:

1. The government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develops and implements comprehensive physical development plans that prioritize sustainability, livability, and economic growth.
2. Increase funding allocated for planning initiatives, infrastructure development, and capacity building for planning professionals.
3. Policymakers engage with planners and experts to inform urban development decisions. All national projects should include planners.
4. Recruit physical planners at all subcounties, town councils and town boards. Alot of development happens in these places minus guidance
5. Bring politicians, army officers and business men on table to dictate the future of urban development through dialogues. These people own land and buildings yet they build illegally.
6. Recruit enforcement officer's to help in illegal constructions, development control and building management - They should as well help in illegal land subdivisons.
7. Streamline practically the profession of real estate management. These people cause illegal substandard land subdivisions which bring about slums in all places around the country - They are assisted by LC1 chairpersons
8. Have a national dialogue with all stakeholders of this mighty country - to establish what went wrong after independence and forge a clear path for proper future development. Which issues must be practical.
9. Set free the hands of physical planners and engineers at district, city, municipality and town council to permit them exercise section 33, 34 etc of the physical planning Act 2010.
10. Revisit the land Act to reduce the power of individuals/land Lords in land use management - These people assume much power and would build any thing they feel like at any time especially during public holidays and weekends. They also reject govt projects.

Therefore, by prioritizing physical planning, the country will be able to realise better, more sustainable cities for all. We look forward to your respectful consideration and attention to this critical matter that is slowly eating all our urban areas..

Sincerely,
Matrix City Developers Ug. Ltd.
[email protected]

17/04/2025

*The Tale of a Troubled City: A Metaphorical Narration*

In the bustling city of Kapkirow, Uganda, a group of dedicated physical planners worked tirelessly to create a better future for its residents. Led by the determined and passionate Planner Rahim, the team spent countless hours designing and implementing plans to improve the city's infrastructure, transportation, and public spaces.

However, their efforts were constantly thwarted by the city's politicians. These powerful individuals, more concerned with maintaining their own power and influence, would often override the planners' decisions and impose their own, ill-conceived projects.

One day, Planner Rahim and his team had finally completed a comprehensive plan to revamp the city's chaotic transportation system. They had carefully studied the traffic patterns, consulted with residents, and designed an efficient and sustainable solution.

But just as they were about to present their plan to the city council, the politicians intervened. They dismissed the planners' work, citing "more pressing concerns" and instead, announced their own plan to build a lavish new highway that would benefit only a select few.

Planner Rahim and his team were devastated. They knew that the politicians' plan would only exacerbate the city's traffic woes and line the pockets of corrupt officials.

Determined to fight for their vision, the planners decided to take a stand. They organized a public campaign, rallying residents and local businesses to support their comprehensive plan.

As the debate raged on, Planner Rahim and his team faced intense intimidation from the politicians. They received threatening phone calls, were excluded from key meetings, and even faced accusations of being "anti-development."

But the planners refused to back down. They continued to advocate for their plan, using social media, local newspapers, and community events to spread their message.

Slowly but surely, the tide began to turn. Residents, tired of the politicians' broken promises and self-serving projects, began to rally behind the planners. Local businesses, seeing the potential for growth and investment, also threw their support behind the comprehensive plan.

Finally, after months of struggle, the city council was forced to reconsider the planners' proposal. In a historic vote, they approved the comprehensive plan, paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable city.

Planner Rahim and his team were overjoyed. They had fought against overwhelming odds and emerged victorious. But they knew that their work was far from over.

To ensure the success of their plan, they called on the government to provide adequate funding and resources. They argued that physical planners, like themselves, needed to be empowered and supported, rather than intimidated and marginalized.

As the city began to transform, Planner Rahim's message resonated across Uganda. Politicians, take heed: it's time to stop intimidating physical planners and start supporting them. The future of our cities depends on it.

LUBADDE RAHIM
Metaphorical Narration
The writer is a physical planner
[email protected]
2025

09/04/2025

The Struggle of Kampala: A City Overwhelmed

Kampala, the bustling capital of Uganda, is a city of contrasts. On one hand, it is a hub of economic activity, with a thriving business district and a vibrant cultural scene. On the other hand, it is a city struggling to cope with the consequences of rapid urbanization.

At the heart of the problem is the concentration of population and economic activity in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). The city's central business district, located in the heart of Kampala, is the epicenter of economic activity, attracting thousands of people from all over the country.

The result is a city overwhelmed by traffic congestion, high land values, and a proliferation of slums and informal settlements. The streets are choked with boda bodas, motorcycles that serve as a primary mode of transportation for many residents.

For many Ugandans, the allure of Kampala is irresistible. The city promises opportunities for economic advancement, education, and a better life. However, the reality is often harsh. The cost of living in Kampala is high, and many residents struggle to make ends meet.

The city's infrastructure is also struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth. Roads are congested, public transportation is inadequate, and services such as healthcare and education are overstretched.

To address these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to disperse economic growth to other regions of the country. By creating economic opportunities in other parts of Uganda, it may be possible to reduce the pressure on Kampala and promote more balanced development.

This is not a simple task, however. It will require significant investment in infrastructure, education, and training, as well as policies and programs to support entrepreneurship and innovation.

Despite the challenges, there is reason to be optimistic. Uganda has a young and dynamic population, and a growing economy. With the right policies and investments, it is possible to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all Ugandans.

The question is, can Kampala be transformed into a city that is more livable, more sustainable, and more equitable for all its residents? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of Kampala is inextricably linked to the future of Uganda.

The writer is a physical planner
[email protected]

01/03/2025