Uganda has introduced major changes to how buildings are planned, approved, constructed, and supervised following the commencement of the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2026, a law aimed at improving safety and reducing the growing problem of illegal and unsafe construction.
The reforms, which took effect on March 19, come amid rising concerns over buildings being constructed without permits, failure to follow approved standards, and repeated cases of building collapses that have resulted in loss of life and property. Government says the new law is meant to bring stronger order, accountability, and safety in the construction sector.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, the Executive Secretary of the National Building Review Board (NBRB), Eng. Flavia Bwire, said the changes are designed to ensure that everyone involved in construction—from developers to contractors and professionals—follows the law and adheres to approved procedures and standards.
One of the biggest changes is how the National Building Review Board is structured and how it operates. The board has been reduced in size from 16 members to 9, bringing together representatives from key government ministries and professional bodies such as engineers, architects, planners, and surveyors. Government says this is meant to improve efficiency and coordination.
The law has also expanded the powers of the Board. Previously, it mainly handled disputes linked to building permit approvals, but now it can handle any complaint related to buildings or construction activities. It can also issue stop orders or even evacuation orders in situations where safety is at risk, especially if local building committees fail to act.
In addition, the Board now has stronger enforcement tools, including the ability to enter construction sites to ensure compliance, refer criminal matters to police, guide local building committees, and direct professional misconduct cases to relevant regulatory bodies. It can also issue certain penalties directly under new regulations that will be developed.
Changes have also been made to local Building Committees, which are responsible for day-to-day oversight at the local level. Their membership has been reduced from 11 to 5, and for the first time, the law clearly assigns leadership roles such as chairperson and secretary. These committees now also have stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to order evacuation or demolition of unsafe structures without waiting for higher approval.
The amendment also addresses innovation in construction. While unsafe building methods remain prohibited, the law now allows the government to approve new and unconventional building technologies after proper assessment. This means innovators can apply for their methods or materials to be reviewed, tested, and officially recognised if found safe, opening the door for modern construction techniques.
Another major shift is in liability for negligence. Previously, the law mainly covered accidents on construction sites, but it now extends responsibility to accidents that occur inside completed buildings as well. Penalties have also been significantly increased, including fines of up to Shs10 million, imprisonment of up to 12 years, or both, depending on the offence.
The law also introduces tougher penalties across several violations. Building without a permit, continuing construction after a permit expires, or using prohibited methods now attract heavier fines calculated per square metre of construction, along with longer prison terms. Government says this is intended to discourage non-compliance and promote safer, properly planned structures.
Officials from the NBRB say they are now working on detailed regulations to guide how the new law will be implemented, including procedures for demolitions, approvals of new technologies, enforcement of penalties, and handling of complaints.
