New Law Empowers Authorities to Tear Down Unsafe Buildings

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1228 EAT on Thursday 16 April 2026

Uganda’s construction sector is entering a new regulatory phase, as stricter enforcement measures take effect under new legislation aimed at improving building safety.

Following the President’s assent to the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2026, regulators have been granted expanded powers to enforce compliance with safety standards, including the authority to demolish structures deemed unsafe.

The reforms come amid rapid urban expansion, which in some cases has been marked by weak oversight and deadly building collapses, underscoring long-standing concerns over construction quality and enforcement.

At the centre of the changes is a strengthened National Building Review Board (NBRB), now equipped with greater authority to intervene where standards are violated.

Engineer Flavia Gutto Bwire, the Board’s Executive Secretary, said the new law addresses a critical enforcement gap that previously allowed non-compliant and unsafe developments to persist unchecked.

“Previously, Building Committees could only issue written demolition orders where necessary, but they did not have the authority to carry out demolitions against non-compliant developers, particularly on safety grounds,” she explained.

She said this limitation often left authorities with little practical power to act against unsafe construction, a challenge that has intensified alongside Uganda’s rapid urban growth and expanding population. The new legislation, she noted, seeks to correct that imbalance.

Under the revised framework, Building Committees are now empowered not only to issue orders but also to enforce them, including evacuating occupants and demolishing structures deemed unsafe.

The National Building Review Board (NBRB) can also intervene directly where local authorities fail to act, issuing stop-work or evacuation orders when safety risks are identified.

For the public, the changes are expected to have immediate implications. Whether for residential or commercial developments, compliance with approved plans is now more strictly enforced, with tighter timelines introduced: construction must commence within 12 months of approval and be completed within five years, unless formal extensions are granted.

Failure to comply with approved standards or timelines could result in penalties or demolition. The reforms also introduce a clearer chain of accountability, requiring complaints to be addressed at the local level before being escalated to the national board, in a bid to strengthen oversight at the community level.

At the same time, penalties for violations have been significantly increased.

Negligence, whether during construction or in completed structures, now attracts penalties of up to Shs 10 million, a prison term of up to 12 years, or both. Building without a permit, continuing works after approval has expired, or using prohibited construction methods will also incur fines calculated per square metre, significantly increasing the financial cost of non-compliance.

“These changes strengthen compliance and enforcement in the construction sector,” Bwire noted.

Beyond the legal provisions, the reforms reflect a broader objective: improving building safety and ensuring more accountable development practices.

Uganda’s construction boom has driven economic growth in recent years, but it has also exposed weaknesses in oversight, including substandard workmanship, unauthorised construction methods, and in some cases, fatal structural failures.

The amended law seeks to directly address these risks. By tightening regulatory oversight, clarifying approval procedures, and increasing penalties, it sends a clear message to developers, engineers, and property owners alike: construction is not only about development, but also about compliance, safety, and the protection of lives.

-Observer

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