According to the report, while the overall compliance levels were below 25%, the data collected indicated that Hoima city had the highest level of compliance (30.2%) while Lira was at the lowest level of compliance (11.5%).

Releasing the findings, Eng. Flavia Bwire, the executive secretary of NBRB cited low compliance in the acquisition of driving permits and supervision of buildings by professionals as some of the major findings.

‘The limited involvement of professionals explains the chronic problems in the building industry. The perpetual non-involvement of professionals explains why buildings are collapsing,’ Eng. Bwire said.

Eng. Bwire also cited the apparent absence of maintenance plans and occupation permits by some buildings, which she said is a big challenge to the sector.

Way forward

The NBRB has advised all city, municipality, town council and district accounting officers through their building control offices and the building committees to ensure compliance with all building operations in their jurisdictions

The board also tasked all property developers to adhere to the Act in order to avoid the potential loss of life and property.

‘ NBRB will continue providing the required oversight to ensure a safe built environment. We would like to assure the general public of our commitment to ensuring that control of building operations is done in conformity with the established framework,’ Eng. Bwire said.

The government of Uganda enacted the Building Control Act, 2013 in a bid to consolidate, harmonize and amend the law relating to the erection of buildings.

To provide for the building standards and to promote and ensure planned, decent and safe building structures that are developed in harmony with the environment among others.