Habitat for Humanity Uganda Recognizes Journalists and Other Stakeholders for Contributions to Housing Issues
Habitat for Humanity Uganda has honored journalists who have excelled in reporting on housing issues in informal settlements. The recognition aimed to highlight the media’s role in drawing policymakers, leaders, and the public's attention to the challenges faced by communities in these areas.
The awards also extended beyond journalism, recognizing contributions from academia and community champions, among others, on Friday in kampala.
Among the awarded journalists were Samir Hussein from Daily Monitor in the print category, Drake Nyamugabwa from Jori Press in online media, Fred Kayongo Male in radio, Sekiwungu Hassif in television, and Arajab Wampura in print, along with others. Winners received plaques and cash prizes ranging from UGX 1 million to UGX 500,000, depending on the category.
In the academic category, Ronald Musinguzi from Makerere University's CEDAT department was recognized for the best affordable housing design, while the Lokongoro Area Land Community received the Community Land Tenure System award.
The media awards are part of the Home Equals campaign, a global initiative by Habitat for Humanity aimed at addressing housing inequities and highlighting the struggles of informal settlement dwellers.
During the awards ceremony, Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba praised the collaboration between her ministry and Habitat for Humanity, emphasizing its role in improving access to decent housing for Ugandans.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts in improving people's quality of life. The partnership between the Lands Ministry and Habitat for Humanity is a model of how civil society and government can work together for meaningful change,” she said.
She further called for increased partnerships to strengthen progress in land, urban, and housing sectors through new policies, funding, and initiatives aimed at making decent housing more affordable.
Owekitibwa Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Habitat for Humanity Uganda, expressed gratitude for being part of the Home Equals Campaign National Awards, recognizing contributions from academia, media, and the community.
He highlighted ongoing collaborations with Makerere University, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Crest Tanks, Cornerstone Engineering Uganda, and UN-Habitat to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
Hon. Rolland Ndyomugenyi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Housing, emphasized the importance of coordinated planning among stakeholders to ensure sustainable housing settlements that adhere to proper building standards.
Through the Home Equals campaign, Habitat for Humanity Uganda continues to advocate for policy reforms at local, national, and global levels to enhance access to adequate housing in informal settlements. Their efforts include building, rehabilitating, and repairing homes, strengthening community capacities, and promoting equitable access to essential services.
