A 29-year-old Ben Ongaria, a graduate of Ogolai Technical Institute in Amuria District, has stunned residents of Ntinda with the construction of a four-room, double-storey mud-and-wattle house along Kyambogo Road.
The unique structure, which Ongaria began erecting earlier this year, is already attracting attention from both passersby and local builders who are impressed by his innovative approach to low-cost housing.
Speaking to journalists at the construction site, Ongaria revealed that his main motivation was to prove that technical education can translate into practical and affordable innovations that improve livelihoods, especially for youth struggling with unemployment.
“I wanted to show that even with limited capital, one can still use the skills learned in technical school to create something valuable,” Ongaria said. “Mud-and-wattle houses are often looked down upon, but when properly designed and reinforced, they can be strong, beautiful, and affordable.”
According to Ongaria, the house features four self-contained rooms, two on the lower floor and two on the upper level.
Each unit will be available for rent at Shs 100,000 per month, providing him with a steady income once completed.
He explained that he combined traditional building techniques with modern reinforcement methods, using locally available materials such as compacted clay, wattle poles, timber, and iron sheets.
The two-storey design, he said, was a deliberate effort to maximize limited space and demonstrate that rural building skills can fit in urban contexts when adapted with creativity.
“I used my own hands and help from two fellow artisans. Most of the materials are locally sourced. The entire project will cost less than Shs 6 million,” Ongaria noted proudly.
Local residents have expressed admiration for the young builder’s ingenuity and hard work.
Sarah Nakato, a businesswoman in Ntinda, said Ongaria’s project is “a lesson for many young people who keep waiting for white-collar jobs instead of using their skills to create employment.”
The success of Ongaria’s project highlights the potential of technical and vocational education in addressing Uganda’s housing and employment challenges.
As construction nears completion, Ongaria hopes his double-storey mud house will serve as a prototype for affordable urban rentals and inspire more youth to embrace innovation and craftsmanship.
“This is just the beginning,” he added with a smile. “One room at a time, one project at a time, our skills can change communities.”
Photo Credit: NTV
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This is encouraging. let the lazy ones learn this. Let them know it is possible to do small things in a great way using simple available means