national 1 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda launches nationwide assessment of building earthquake resilience
The Ugandan government has initiated a large-scale assessment of buildings across the country, starting with the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, to determine their ability to withstand earthquakes. This initiative follows a presidential directive and aims to identify structural weaknesses and potential risks. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-assesses-kampala-buildings-for-earthquake-readiness-5580508
The Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the National Building Review Board (NBRB), has launched a critical study to evaluate the earthquake preparedness of buildings in Uganda. The initiative, which begins in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, will eventually cover the entire nation, assessing over 800,000 structures.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama highlighted the urgency of the assessment, stating, “In case we get an earthquake, can they withstand the situation? Or if an earthquake came now, would they just collapse? This is what we want to find out.” The initial two-month phase will focus on Greater Kampala, with reports expected shortly after.
This comprehensive review is a direct response to a presidential directive aimed at bolstering Uganda’s resilience against seismic events. The NBRB has expressed concern over low compliance rates with building regulations, noting that a significant portion of constructions lack proper approvals and professional oversight, compromising safety standards.
Executive Secretary of NBRB, Eng Flavia Bwire, revealed that compliance with building permits stands at a mere 0.6 percent, with only 0.9 percent of building operations involving qualified professionals. “The majority of buildings going up are being constructed without proper approvals, without professional guidance, and without adequate regard for safety,” she stated.
Enumerators have been trained on Rapid Visual Screening and Compliance Monitoring Tools to gather data on statutory approvals, professional involvement, construction methods, accessibility, fire safety, and common defects. Previous applications of the visual screening tool in Fort Portal City indicated that nearly 90 percent of buildings required further investigation or intervention to be considered earthquake-safe. Similar assessments in school buildings in western Uganda revealed urgent structural needs in 6 percent of cases and deeper assessment requirements in 59 percent.
Uganda’s location within the East African Rift System, particularly western regions, makes it susceptible to significant seismic activity. National modeling projects that a major earthquake could result in over $2 billion in damages and thousands of lives lost. The assessment aims to provide crucial data for future strengthening and reinforcement efforts.