The government has decided to take over total ownership of the National Housing and Construction Company to ensure adequate provision of low cost houses to public servants.

The revelation was made by Mr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of State for Housing while presenting a statement on the International Habitat Day in Parliament last week.

"In 1964, National Housing and Construction Company was fully owned but now 51 per cent is owned by Uganda and 49 per cent by Libya... .we have taken a decision to acquire 100 per cent of shares," Mr Baryomunsi said.

He said government intends to recapitalise the Housing Finance Bank to offer low interest loans to public servants to acquire mortgages.

This, Mr Baryomunsi said, would be spearheaded by a Shs30 billion revolving fund.

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According to the minister's statement, Uganda, whose population stands above 35 million people, has only 7.3 million households and a deficit of 2.1 million houses.+

"Given the rapid population growth, we project this will get worse in the coming years unless we invest substantially in the area of housing," Mr Baryomunsi said.