By Denis Ojok – Senior ICT Officer, NBRB
Uganda’s local governments are witnessing a transformation in revenue collection and compliance with the building control regulatory framework, thanks to the integration of the Building Industry Management System (BIMS) with the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS).
This pioneering move, spearheaded by the National Building Review Board (NBRB) in collaboration with the Local Government Finance Commission (LGFC), is redefining how building permits are issued while boosting local government revenues.
BIMS is an e-building permit system through which a developer can apply for a building and occupation permit, engage the services of registered professionals, schedule routine building inspections, and pay building control fees. IRAS, on the other hand, is a system which automates the revenue collection and payment processes.
Since launching in April 2025, the integration has improved transparency, accountability, and efficiency in 166 districts and municipalities, setting a new benchmark in Uganda’s public sector governance.
A sector in need of reform
Before the BIMS-IRAS integration, building permit applications, fee payments, and professional registration were managed separately from local government revenue administration, with developers submitting duplicate information in both systems.
The lack of seamless communication often led to delays in project approvals and inconsistencies in revenue reporting.
Additionally, uncollected or delayed fees limited the financial capacity of local governments to deliver infrastructure and essential services, frustrating citizens and slowing local development.
“Before integration, tracking the building permit issuance process was challenging,” says NBRB’s Manager ICT, Fred Lwanga Kintu. “It was not always clear whether building operations going on in local governments were properly approved by the Building Committees.”
Integration: How it works
The integration of BIMS and IRAS links building control functions directly to local government revenue systems.
The unified platform enables real-time data synchronisation. Once a developer pays fees through BIMS, the payment is automatically reflected in IRAS, ensuring accurate and timely revenue allocation to local governments.
The integration has also improved compliance tracking since local authorities can now monitor whether developers are adhering to building regulations, professional registration requirements, and permit conditions.
Impact on revenue collection
Since April 2025, when the integration was effected, local governments that implemented the integrated system have reported substantial increases in revenue collection.
This increment has been mainly in Hoima, Wakiso, Kira, Mityana, Entebbe, Makindye-Ssaabagabo and other local governments.
This has been through effective payment and collection of building control fees via the system.
Compliance and Safety: A Twin Benefit
The integration does more than just increase revenue; it strengthens compliance with building regulations, which has historically been a challenge in Uganda. By linking BIMS with IRAS, local authorities can monitor whether a developer has secured the necessary approvals before construction begins, has committed the services of registered professionals and whether their project has been supervised.
“When building fees and compliance monitoring are automated, the temptation to bypass regulations is reduced. This directly translates into safer, more reliable structures for our communities.” Fred Kintu revealed.
The integration of BIMS and IRAS, therefore, represents a transformative step for Uganda’s local governments. By linking building control with revenue administration, the country has created a platform that improves compliance, boosts revenue, and supports safer and more sustainable urban development.