By Brian Mugenyi
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Kampala: At Shs: 6millions, a serious land and housing property buyer can afford a personal property! Smiling ear to ear, Ms Hope Mukundane takes her seat in a serene Head offices of Union Transport Alliance in Kamwokya suburbs, Kampala City. The Growth, partnership, land and housing department head, Ms Mukundane is a born Again Christian and she speaks with confidence about Real estate developing initiatives for Union Transport Alliance led by Mr. Fred Ssenoga.
From the humble beginnings, Ms Hope Mukundane says people can purchase land, houses and own themselves property at shs: 6millions in areas such as Hoima, Busunju Road and they’re considering to introduce the initiative in all subregions of the country under Union Village.
For millions of Ugandan families, the idea of owning a home remains one of life’s biggest dreams.
But between rising construction costs, limited incomes and increasing urbanisation, that dream has continued to remain out of reach for many households who spend years paying rent without building permanent assets.
Across Kampala and other growing urban centres, thousands of families wake up every month facing the same reality — rent payments, household expenses and the struggle to save enough money to own property.
Uganda’s housing challenge is not just about buildings. It is about livelihoods, family security and the ability of ordinary citizens to create wealth.
Statistics indicate that Uganda faces a housing deficit of about 2.4 million units, with significant shortages affecting both urban and rural communities. The country requires hundreds of thousands of new housing units annually to bridge the gap created by population growth, urbanisation and limited affordable housing supply.
The situation is even more challenging for low and middle-income earners, many of whom cannot easily access expensive mortgages or high-end housing developments.
“It is against this background that Union Transport Alliance has launched an affordable housing drive aimed at helping ordinary Ugandans transition from tenants to homeowners,” said Ms Mukundane.
” We are considering to have subregions initiative for houses, land under Union Village,” she said.
Leading the campaign Ms. Hope Mukundane, the Head of Growth, Partnerships, Land and Housing at Union Transport Alliance, who believes home ownership should not remain a privilege for the wealthy says the role of Union Transport Alliance is to get people out of poverty and giving security of their money to avoid being cheated in fraud property transactions.
“We want Ugandans to understand that owning a home is possible. A person earning a modest income can save gradually and acquire property. Ownership is one of the strongest ways no families can fight poverty,” Mukundane said.
Through Union Housing Facilities, clients can access constructed houses starting at approximately Shs: 6million under flexible payment arrangements that allow buyers to complete ownership within a period of up to ten years.
Mukundane says the initiative was created to address the gap between the dream of owning property and the financial realities facing ordinary Ugandans.
“For many people, the challenge has not been the desire to own a home, but the lack of opportunities that match their income levels. We are creating a pathway where people can invest in themselves and their families,” she said.
The housing programme, established under the leadership of Union Transport Alliance Chief Executive Officer Fred Ssenoga, seeks to promote asset ownership among workers, entrepreneurs, transport sector players and Ugandans living in the diaspora.
Ssenoga has repeatedly emphasised that economic transformation begins when citizens have access to productive assets.
A house, he argues, is more than a structure.
It is a family’s security.
It is an investment.
It is a foundation for future generations.
From Housing to Health: Another Battle Against Poverty
While Union is addressing the housing question, the organisation is also stepping into another area affecting millions of Ugandan women and girls — menstrual health.
On June 20, 2026, Union Transport Alliance launched Union Sanitary Pads under the “Kili Clear” Campaign at the UMA Multi-Purpose Hall in Lugogo, Kampala.
The launch brought together health experts, women leaders, students, SACCO representatives and development stakeholders to discuss solutions to period poverty.
For many girls, especially those from low-income households, menstruation can become a barrier to education and daily participation.
Some miss school because they cannot afford sanitary products, while others use unsafe alternatives that may expose them to health risks.
Speaking at the launch, Union Transport Alliance CEO Fred Ssenoga said access to menstrual hygiene products should not depend on a person’s financial background.
“Every woman and girl deserves dignity, confidence and access to quality menstrual hygiene products. No one should be left behind because of poverty,” Ssenoga said.
The sanitary pads, manufactured using natural wood pulp and breathable fabric, are designed to provide comfort, protection and affordability.
Health stakeholders welcomed the initiative, saying affordable menstrual products can improve school attendance, productivity and confidence among women and girls.
A Different Approach to Development
At first glance, affordable housing and sanitary pads may appear like two separate issues.
But they are connected by one common challenge — poverty.
A family struggling with housing insecurity often faces challenges in health, education and economic planning.
Likewise, a girl who cannot access menstrual products faces barriers that affect her education and future opportunities.
By combining housing empowerment with health interventions, Union Transport Alliance says it is pursuing a wider mission of improving everyday lives.
Mukundane says the goal is not simply to provide houses or products, but to change how Ugandans think about ownership, dignity and opportunity.
“We want people to believe they can achieve more. A home gives a family stability. Access to health products gives women and girls confidence. Both are important in building stronger communities,” she said.
As Uganda continues to search for solutions to its housing shortage and social challenges, initiatives that focus on affordability and inclusion are increasingly becoming part of the national conversation.
For thousands of Ugandans still dreaming of owning a home, the journey may begin with a simple decision — moving from paying for shelter to investing in ownership.
And for millions of women and girls facing menstrual challenges, the journey begins with restoring something equally important: dignity.
