ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 617

Table 1: Share of dwelling types in Uganda (UBOS 2010).
Dwelling Types

Year 2009/10
Urban (%)

Rural (%)

Uganda (%)

Detached

30.2

64.4

57.9

Huts

6.2

25.1

21.5

Tenements

58

9.2

18.4

Others

5.7

1.4

2.2

Moreover, in 2010, around 62% of urban and 42% of rural families used only one room for sleeping
(UBOS 2012). Considering the average household size of 5 people (3.9 people in urban and 5.2 persons in rural areas) (UBOS 2010), it could be argued that the number of sleeping people in almost
half of Ugandan households is 4 or more people which is considerably more than the international standards. Such conditions could greatly affect the health and wellbeing of the occupants
contributing to issues such as poor indoor air quality and increased risk of infectious and transmissible diseases (UBOS 2012). Table 2 below shows the average household size and the number
of rooms used for sleeping in urban and rural areas of Uganda. According to these data, it could
be argued that there is a tangible transition of material use in Ugandan rural and urban housing,
where the growing demand is towards iron sheet roofs and brick walls for construction of houses.
Table 2: Household size and the number of rooms used for sleeping (UBOS 2010; UBOS 2012).
Indicator

Year 2009/10
Urban (%)

Rural (%)

Uganda (%)

3.9

5.2

5

One

62.3

42.0

45.8

Two

21.9

30.2

28.7

Three or more

15.1

27.2

24.9

Missing

0.7

0.6

0.6

Average household size
Rooms used for sleeping

Figure 1 below also summarises the most common construction methods and materials used in
housing projects during 2002-2010. In 2010, around 62% of homes in Uganda (84% in urban areas
and 57% in rural areas) were roofed with iron sheets (Figure 2) followed by thatched roof which
took a share of 37%. Around 57% (84% urban and 51% rural) of all dwellings had brick walls and
39% (12% urban and 46% rural) were made out of mud and poles. More than 71% of floors were
made from earth (25% urban and 82% rural) and 27% (71% urban and 17% rural) were covered with
cement (NPA 2010; UBOS 2010).

Figure 1: Construction methods and materials (%) (NPA 2010; UBOS 2010).

Improving thermal comfort in low-income tropical housing: the case of Uganda

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