The Government has introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at enforcing construction standards with stringent penalties for non-compliance.
Presented by the State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama, on April 9, 2025, the Bill seeks to address gaps in the existing Building Control Act and simplify the process for approving building and occupational permits.
The move comes in response to growing concerns over poor workmanship at construction sites, which have led to building collapses and resulted in fatalities and injuries, particularly among workers.
The Bill also aims to tackle issues related to the commencement of construction and occupation without proper permits.
Clause 16 of the Bill outlines severe consequences for those found responsible for accidents at construction sites, including up to 12 years in prison or a fine of Shs 10 million.
“Any person whose negligence, commission or omission leads to an accident on a building or a building construction site, which results into injury, death or destruction of property, commits an offence,” the Bill states in part.
The Bill also criminalises a person who carries out a building operation without a valid building permit and faces two years’ imprisonment or a fine of Shs20,000 for every square metre of the built-up area.
The new law when passed by Parliament establishes a building committee in each district local government and urban council with powers to order for demolition or evacuation of premises constructed illegally.
“The Building Committee shall have the power to demolish or order the evacuation of buildings constructed in contravention of this Act and the conditions prescribed by the minister by regulations,” reads the Bill.
The committee will also be in charge of approving applications for building permits under the stewardship of the district chief administrative officer.
The new law streamlines functions and composition of the National Building Review Board (NBRB) which will enforce mechanisms of approval of plans, quality assurance and inspection of buildings.
“It provides for the powers of the Board to issue stop or evacuation orders in circumstances where a building committee has failed to comply with the recommendations of the Board and safety is compromised at a building,” the Bill adds.
NBRB in the new law is charged with restructuring of procedures for approval of building permits and occupation permits while providing for use of unconventional methods, technologies and materials for building.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa referred the Bill to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for consideration.
