The National Building Review Board (NBRB) has launched an investigation into the collapse of a four-storey church extension at Holy City Church, Brother Ronnies Ministries, in Bwerenga, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, as rescuers continue to search the rubble.
The building, located along Entebbe Road, collapsed at around 05:00 PM on Monday, triggering an emergency operation that continued throughout the night. The structure was an extension of the main church building and had reached the fourth floor when it collapsed.
One person, identified as Lukwago Francis, a builder, has been confirmed dead, while 25 others have been rescued from the debris. They are receiving treatment at Kisubi Hospital and Entebbe Grade B Hospital. Up to 40 people are believed to have been at the site when the building collapsed.
Rescue Operation Underway
Police are leading the rescue operation alongside the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other emergency response agencies. Anxious relatives have gathered near the premises, waiting for news of workers and others believed to have been inside the building.
Search teams are continuing their efforts to establish whether anyone else remains trapped beneath the rubble.
Investigators on the Ground
The National Building Review Board (NBRB), a government body mandated to monitor building developments, immediately dispatched a team of investigating officers, including engineers and architects, who have begun gathering preliminary evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
NBRB Manager of Communications Herbert Zziwa said it was not yet clear whether the required approvals, permits and professional supervision for the project had been obtained from the Katabi Town Council Building Committee.
“Investigators were collecting samples of cement, steel and concrete for laboratory testing to establish the strength and quality of the materials used. The team is also working with Katabi Town Council to establish whether the building had a valid construction permit and approved plans,” he said.
A Troubling Pattern
The Holy City Church incident adds to a series of building collapses reported in Uganda this year. On May 2, a building in Namakwekwe Estate, Mbale City, collapsed, killing Andrew Wonyakara, a builder, and injuring six others after the fifth floor gave way.
The Board’s preliminary report found that the structure had no building permit or approved architectural drawings and had been illegally converted from a semi-detached house into a multi-storey building.
On June 5, another building under construction in Kisaasi, Kawempe Division, Kampala City, collapsed, killing three people and injuring more than 10 others. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) said the structure was illegal and lacked professional supervision.
The latest incident highlights the need for developers, contractors and property owners to strictly comply with building laws and regulations to prevent avoidable loss of life and destruction of property.
All construction projects should obtain the necessary building permits and approved plans, engage qualified professionals, and ensure proper supervision at every stage of construction.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report suspected illegal construction and building safety violations to the relevant authorities for timely intervention.