Uganda launches nationwide building safety assessment for earthquake readiness

In response to increasing global seismic events and a presidential directive, the Ugandan government is embarking on a significant assessment of its building infrastructure. The Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the National Building Review Board (NBRB), is launching a rapid visual screening process to determine how well structures in Kampala can withstand earthquakes.

Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, stated that the initial phase will focus on the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, with enumerators trained on specific screening and compliance tools. “We want to see the houses we have in Greater Kampala. 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,” he explained.

The NBRB’s Executive Secretary, Eng. Flavia Bwire, highlighted concerning statistics from recent monitoring in Kampala, revealing very low compliance rates for building permits (0.6%) and professional oversight (0.9%). This suggests many buildings are constructed without adherence to safety regulations or expert guidance.

The nationwide assessment, expected to cover over 800,000 buildings, is crucial given Uganda’s location within the East African Rift System. Modelling indicates a major earthquake could result in significant loss of life and economic damage, estimated at over $2 billion and 2,500 lives.

Previous screenings in areas like Fort Portal City and Mbarara have shown alarming results, with a high percentage of buildings requiring intervention or further investigation to be considered earthquake-safe. The government aims to complete the assessment across most of the country within the current financial year, prioritizing densely populated areas first before expanding to other regions.