UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The journey from homelessness to owning a roofed house reflects resilience, determination, and community support. Nalongo Robinah Tushemerirwe, a 40-year-old mother of five, shares how her family transitioned from sleeping in plantations to living in a permanent home.
Through challenging circumstances, her family endured years of displacement and instability before finally achieving the security of a roofed house.
Homeless Beginnings
For years, Tushemerirwe and her husband, who have no formal employment and rely on casual labour, struggled with homelessness. The family often slept in plantations or the bush, constructing makeshift shelters out of polythene bags to shield their children from the elements.
“We, the adults, stayed awake at night to watch over the children. It was a time of constant fear and uncertainty,” Tushemerirwe recounted.
When the family could afford it, they rented incomplete structures. The most expensive was a one-roomed house that cost UGX 7,000 per month. The houses were often too small and lacked basic amenities, but they provided temporary relief from sleeping outdoors.
Acquiring Land for the First Time
The turning point came in 2007 when Tushemerirwe was presented with an opportunity to earn a commission by finding land for a potential buyer. Initially hesitant, she eventually agreed and successfully brokered a deal, earning UGX 3.3 million in commission.
At the time, the family was renting a single-room house in Kyankima for UGX 6,000. With the newfound money, Tushemerirwe and her husband purchased a 50-by-80-foot plot in Kyankima for UGX 3.1 million. The remaining funds were used to build a temporary iron-sheet shelter on the property.
The family lived in the temporary shelter for two years, but the inadequacy of the structure became painfully apparent during the rainy season of 2009. The cold weather took a toll on their youngest child, a two-year-old, who fell ill and passed away
“This loss was a wake-up call for us to prioritize building a permanent house,” Tushemerirwe said.
Constructing the First Roofed House
Motivated by the tragedy, the family began constructing their first permanent roofed house. Using bricks baked by Tushemerirwe and her older children, alongside materials purchased with money earned by her husband, they built a one-room house.
The materials included 1,000 handmade bricks, an additional 1,000 purchased bricks, eight bags of cement, and a truckload of sand. Tushemerirwe took an active role in the construction process.
“While my husband worked, I mixed mortar, ferried bricks, and assisted the mason,” she explained.
Damaged iron sheets were used to roof the house, which the family lived in for the next 10 years.
Challenges of Limited Space and Poor Infrastructure
Over the years, the family faced difficulties due to the house’s small size and lack of infrastructure. The leaking roof and absence of a pit latrine were persistent challenges. The family relied on neighbours for sanitation facilities until community members collectively built a pit latrine.
As the children grew older, space became a significant issue. The youngest child slept in the parents’ bed, some children slept under the bed, and others made use of the remaining floor space.
“The house became too small, and it was clear we needed an extension,” Tushemerirwe recalled.
In 2020, with additional funds earned by her husband, the family constructed an extension to the house. However, the workmanship was poor, and the structure developed cracks over time. Tushemerirwe feared for her children’s safety.
“At night, I stayed awake to watch over my children, worried the house might collapse,” she said.
A Community Comes Together to Build a Roofed House
The family’s circumstances took a dramatic turn in August 2024 during a church service at Miracle Christian Fellowship Ministries in Nangabo. While attending the service, Tushemerirwe fell asleep due to exhaustion. Pastor James Victor Lubwama noticed her and inquired about her situation.
After hearing her story, Pastor Lubwama appealed to the congregation to help build the family a proper roofed house.
“He suggested a three-bedroom house, and within minutes, people pledged all the materials and resources needed for construction,” Tushemerirwe recounted.
Construction of the Roofed House
Within days, the family was relocated to a secure one-room house in Bulamu, Gayaza, while construction began on their new home. Tushemerirwe and her husband actively participated in the building process, cooking for the workers, mixing mortar, and transporting materials.
The house was completed in just three weeks. It included three bedrooms, a sitting room, and an outdoor kitchen. The pastor and church members also furnished the house, providing a sofa set, a smart TV, wall-to-wall carpeting, beds, and bedding for the entire family.
A New Beginning in the Roofed House
The completion of the roofed house marked a significant milestone for Tushemerirwe and her family. The children, who previously avoided bringing friends home due to embarrassment, now call the house “God’s house.”
“My older children, who had left home out of shame, have now returned. We are finally living as a happy family,” Tushemerirwe said.
With the transformative power of community support and determination despite the years of hardship, the family’s resilience and the generosity of others provided them with a stable and secure home.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
Building a Country House: Grace and John Ekudu’s Journey to Owning a Business
Meet Jonathan Edward Nsubuga, the Architect Shaping Kampala’s Iconic Landmarks