By Diana N.Kintu
Uganda has introduced significant reforms to strengthen the regulation and enforcement of building standards following the President’s assent to the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the National Building Review Board (NBRB), the amendments commenced on 19 March 2026 and are intended to address persistent challenges in the construction sector, including illegal construction, unsafe buildings, and weak compliance with established standards.
The NBRB noted that Uganda’s building and construction industry has expanded rapidly in recent years due to urbanisation and infrastructure development. However, this growth has also been accompanied by incidents of building collapse and loss of life.
“These reforms are intended to promote safety, order, and accountability in Uganda’s building sector,” said Eng. Flavia G. Bwire, Executive Secretary of the NBRB.
Key changes include the reduction of NBRB Board membership from 16 to 9 members in order to improve governance, as well as the expansion of its mandate to hear complaints beyond building permit approvals.
The Board now has the authority to issue stop or evacuation orders, impose expedited penalties, and enter construction sites to enforce compliance.
According to the statement, Building Committees at district and urban council levels have also been streamlined. Membership has been reduced from 11 to 5 technical officers, comprising representatives from engineering, physical planning, health, architecture, and environmental management.
The Committees are now required to report quarterly to the Board, thereby strengthening oversight and accountability.
The amendments further expand enforcement powers, enabling Building Committees to demolish unsafe structures or order evacuations where necessary. Building permits must now be implemented within strict timelines: construction must commence within 12 months and be completed within 60 months. Any extensions must be applied for through formal procedures.
Penalties for non-compliance have also been significantly increased. For instance, constructing without a permit now attracts a fine of two currency points per square metre of built-up area or a custodial sentence of up to five years.
Liability for negligence resulting in accidents has been broadened to include both construction sites and completed structures, with penalties increased to UGX 10 million or imprisonment of up to 12 years.
The Act also makes compliance with the National Building Code mandatory and introduces provisions to encourage innovation by allowing the approval of unconventional building methods and technologies through a regulated process.
According to the statement, the next steps involve the development of regulations to operationalise the amendments and the revision of the National Building Code to align with the new law. The NBRB has urged developers, contractors, and professionals to fully comply with the law and adhere to approved building standards.