Luttamaguzi Demands Urgent Overhaul of Building Control Act

By Peter Luzinda 

KAMPALA —  Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula has renewed his demand for Parliament to urgently amend and re-debate the Building Control Act, insisting that the law has become a barrier to affordable construction and national development.

The legislator said the Act, in its current form, is “too foreign” in design and enforcement, arguing that it does not reflect the realities faced by ordinary Ugandans in the construction sector.

“The Building Control Act should be urgently amended. It is too rigid, too political, and does not protect Ugandans. Instead, it has slowed down development,” Luttamaguzi said.

 

Background of the Law

 

The Building Control Act was enacted by Parliament in 2013 and assented to by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on October 2, 2013, before being published in the Uganda Gazette later that month. However, its full enforcement only began on April 2, 2018, following a delayed commencement process.

The legislation was introduced to regulate Uganda’s construction industry, improve safety standards, and prevent the rising cases of unsafe and collapsing buildings.

It established the Building Control Board to oversee compliance, approve building plans, and enforce construction standards across the country.

Key requirements under the Act include mandatory approval of construction plans before building begins, the use of certified professionals such as engineers and architects, periodic site inspections, and issuance of occupancy permits before use of any structure.

 

Concerns Over Implementation

 

While the law was meant to improve safety and order in the construction sector, critics argue that it has created excessive bureaucracy, increased building costs, and slowed down housing development—especially in fast-growing urban areas like Kampala.

Luttamaguzi argued that the framework disproportionately affects low- and middle-income developers who struggle to meet the technical and financial requirements imposed by the Act.

He added that the enforcement system has, in some cases, discouraged investment and delayed critical infrastructure projects.

 

Push for Reform

 

The MP is now urging Parliament to initiate wide consultations with engineers, architects, developers, and local authorities to revise the law in a way that balances safety with affordability and economic growth.

He emphasized that Uganda needs a regulatory framework that protects lives without stifling development in a rapidly growing construction sector.

His renewed call is expected to reignite parliamentary and public debate over whether the Building Control Act should be fundamentally restructured to align with Uganda’s development priorities.