Empowering women through safer housing innovation in Uganda: a case study

The challenge

As Uganda experiences rapid urbanisation—its urban population is projected to surge from 7.4 million in 2016 to 21 million by 2040—the demand for construction projects is expected to rise significantly. Ensuring that this growth is managed safely requires equipping the construction industry with essential safety skills.

Founded in 2018 by Anne Rweyora, a finalist for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2019 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, Smart Havens Africa (SHA) was established to tackle the shortage of long-term, sustainable, and affordable housing in Uganda. SHA aims to support local communities, with an emphasis on empowering women. In Uganda, 70% of women live in unstable homes, posing major barriers to gaining economic independence and long-term security. A lack of housing disproportionately affects women, and as such women need to form part of the solution.

The solution

To help address these challenges, Anne set out to upskill her own enterprise to help promote the development of vital skills needed to safely grow the construction industry in Uganda.

Engineering X's Skills for Safety programme supported this by funding a special project by SHA, aimed at developing skills and providing new opportunities for local people, and more specifically, building sustainable homes for low-income women: houses built by women, for women.

The primary goal of this project was to elevate the expertise of SHA’s engineering and technical staff, thereby advancing safety protocols and integrating emerging technologies into the development, operation, and maintenance of secure and sustainable affordable housing.

The impact

This initiative has transformed SHA’s operations by upskilling the team, creating new positions, and offering educational opportunities for students. Anne has diversified skills within Africa’s construction sector, directly benefiting 100 women masons, 50 technicians, and 75 homeowners, enhancing their ability to construct and maintain safe, affordable housing. The project has also improved safety management, reducing workplace accidents from 5 in the last project, to 1 in the current project.

SHA has provided 50 female engineering graduates with apprenticeships and internships annually, boosting their employability and increasing sector capacity. The funding for this project has also enabled the appointment of two new team members for safety and quality control, further ensuring high standards in SHA’s housing projects.

Through this project, the team has seen the direct impact that enhanced skills have on the quality and efficiency of work. By involving women and youth, SHA were able to complete 34 homes in just 3 months, a marked improvement from the previous 12 months which saw 23 homes constructed in 14 months. This has equipped the team with the capability to build, operate, and maintain critical infrastructure, preparing SHA for scaling its operations.

Smart Havens Africa is making significant strides towards a safer, more skilled construction workforce to meet Uganda’s growing urban demands, demonstrating the powerful impact of targeted skills development and strategic management.

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Skills for safety