Uganda 75% Buildings Fail Standards: NBRB Report Reveals Widespread Non-Compliance

• Only 25% of 11,492 building developments inspected in Uganda met required construction standards in the last financial year.
• The National Building Review Board (NBRB) attributes this widespread non-compliance to weak local government enforcement, inadequate resources, and fragmented approval processes.
• An assessment revealed that only 12% of district and urban building committees, crucial for enforcing standards, are fully constituted.
• While building collapses have decreased, fire outbreaks are now a major challenge, with 67% of investigated fires caused by arson.
• The NBRB plans to digitize approval and inspection processes and implement AI and remote sensing for monitoring to improve compliance.

The National Building Review Board (NBRB) in Uganda has revealed that a staggering 75% of building developments inspected across the country do not meet the required construction standards.

The National Building Review Board (NBRB) in Uganda has revealed that a staggering 75% of building developments inspected across the country do not meet the required construction standards. This alarming statistic, presented by NBRB Executive Secretary Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire to Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), highlights significant concerns regarding public safety and the efficacy of Uganda construction safety regulations. The disclosure came during a review of the Auditor General's report for the financial year ending June 30, 2025.

During the specified financial year, the NBRB conducted inspections on 11,492 building developments nationwide. Out of these, only a quarter were found to be compliant with established standards, confirming that Uganda 75% buildings fail standards. This widespread non-compliance contributes to persistent issues such as building collapses and fires, which continue to pose substantial risks to life and property. While the frequency and fatalities from building collapses have reportedly decreased since the NBRB's establishment in 2020, fire outbreaks have emerged as a primary challenge for the sector.

Eng. Bwire noted that while the rate of building collapses and associated deaths has diminished, fire incidents now represent the most significant hurdle. Investigations conducted by the NBRB into these incidents indicate that a substantial 67% of the fires examined were attributed to arson. This finding suggests that a significant portion of fire-related challenges falls outside the traditional scope of engineering regulation, complicating efforts to enhance safety through construction oversight alone. Public awareness campaigns on safety measures have, however, contributed to a reduction in fire-related fatalities.

The low levels of Uganda Building Control Act compliance are primarily attributed to several systemic weaknesses. Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire pointed to inadequate enforcement by local governments, insufficient staffing and funding for regulatory bodies, and fragmented building approval processes as key contributing factors. Furthermore, the failure of local authorities to fully establish and empower building committees, which are crucial for supervising construction activities, significantly undermines oversight.

An assessment of 102 building committees operating at district and urban local government levels revealed severe operational deficiencies. Only 12% of these committees were found to be fully constituted, while 82% were only partially formed. A further 6% had not been constituted at all. These committees are mandated under the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2026 to enforce building standards at the local level, forming a critical component of Uganda building committee enforcement. The National Building Review Board Uganda, for its part, is responsible for regulating the broader sector, monitoring compliance, and building the capacity of these local committees.

The NBRB was established in 2020 specifically to address the then-frequent building collapses, which were particularly common during rainy seasons and often resulted in fatalities. Although the immediate threat of collapses has been mitigated to some extent, the underlying issues of poor construction methods and the use of substandard materials remain significant contributors to structural failures. The NBRB addresses these by referring cases involving poor-quality materials to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and concerns about workmanship to relevant engineering regulatory authorities, underscoring its role in identifying violations rather than direct enforcement of every aspect of construction.

In response to these persistent challenges, the National Building Review Board Uganda has developed a comprehensive strategic plan spanning the financial years 2025/26 to 2029/30. A central pillar of this strategy is the digitisation of building approval and inspection processes, aiming to streamline operations and enhance compliance. As part of this initiative, the NBRB has already integrated 130 building committees into its digital systems and conducted audits of 102 committees during the preceding financial year.

Further advancing its monitoring capabilities, the NBRB has also developed a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based compliance monitoring tool. This innovative system is designed to assist authorities in tracking construction activities across the nation, providing a more comprehensive overview of ongoing projects and potential compliance issues. Looking ahead, the Board is actively working on developing smart inspection systems that will incorporate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and remote sensing to further enhance its ability to monitor building developments effectively.

Despite the complexities, including the prevalence of arson in fire incidents, the NBRB maintains an ambitious target: achieving zero building collapses and zero deaths resulting from building-related incidents. This commitment underscores the Board's dedication to improving construction safety and regulatory adherence across Uganda, even as it navigates the multifaceted challenges presented by weak enforcement, fragmented processes, and external factors like deliberate acts of destruction. The strategic focus on digital transformation and advanced monitoring tools represents a proactive approach to addressing the systemic issues contributing to the high rate of non-compliant structures.

The widespread non-compliance (75%) with building standards in Uganda, coupled with weak enforcement and fragmented approval processes, creates significant legal and compliance risks for developers, contractors, and property owners. Lawyers should advise clients on heightened due diligence for construction projects, potential liabilities arising from non-compliant structures, and the need to ensure strict adherence to the Building Control Act and local committee requirements. Compliance officers should anticipate increased scrutiny and potential enforcement actions as the NBRB implements its digital monitoring strategy.

Source: Original reporting via parliamentary committee disclosure