According to a recent report from the National Building Review Board (NBRB), a total of 108 Ugandans lost their lives in building-related accidents over the past 52 months. This sobering revelation sheds light on the pressing issue of building safety in the country.
Eng. Anthony Rucukye, the NBRB manager of investigations, presented the report during a training session for media practitioners from the Greater Kampala metropolitan area on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that an average of two Ugandans died every month due to building-related incidents.
Rucukye stressed that these deaths are preventable, as buildings should not be constructed with the intention of collapsing. He urged developers to entrust construction projects to professionals who are mandated by law to ensure safety standards are met.
Out of the 108 fatalities, 46 occurred in fire incidents, 58 in building collapses, and four in other building-related incidents. Additionally, 108 individuals sustained injuries in these accidents.
The root causes of building collapses were identified as poor quality bricks, deviation from design, unsafe work methods, poor steel, poor concrete, old age/dilapidation, faulty/no design, and environmental natural disasters.
Fire incidents in buildings were attributed to various factors, including arson/negligence (63%), electrical issues (21%), maintenance operations (13%), dilapidation and disrepair (2%), and lightning (1%).
The NBRB emphasizes that unsafe buildings pose risks to everyone, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring building safety.
Herbert Zziwa, the NBRB manager of communications, explained that the training aimed to provide media practitioners with accurate information about the board, including its legal framework, regulations, and standards governing the building industry.
He also outlined challenges faced by the NBRB, such as inadequacies in the building control framework to enhance compliance, the absence of physical development plans at local government levels, and the lack of building control professionals in local government structures, excluding cities. These challenges underscore the need for comprehensive measures to address building safety concerns and prevent further tragedies.
