UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Three individuals have been arrested by the National Building Review Board (NBRB) Enforcement Team and police in Uganda for spreading harmful propaganda about the Steel-Timber Composite Building Method (STC) that was banned by the government.
The three suspects, who reside in Butikirwa, Kisaasi in Nakawa Division, are currently being held at Kira Road Police Station.
The arrests come after the public raised concerns about a misleading video on TikTok promoting the banned construction method. The video featured one of the suspects inciting others to continue using the STC method and bribing government authorities who might catch them using it.
The TikTok video was recorded by Kaweesi Sharif, while Ssempijja Ismael and Baleke Joseph were arrested as the developer and builder respectively.
The Steel-Timber Composite Building Method (STC) was banned in September last year by the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala under section 42 of the Building Control Act, 2013. The ban was imposed after investigations revealed that the STC method is risky and unsafe for the public.
The STC method is a composite building method that involves using both steel and timber in the construction process. It is said to pose a significant risk to safety as it is prone to collapsing and causing fatalities.
NBRB officials say the government’s decision to ban the STC method is part of their wider efforts to improve building safety in the country. Those found using banned construction methods risk being arrested and prosecuted.
According to NBRB, the arrests of the suspects demonstrate the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban on the STC method and ensuring that those who continue to use it are held accountable for their actions.
The government continues to urge the public to comply with the ban and to use safe and approved construction methods to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.
Following public concerns over a misleading video on Tiktok spreading harmful propaganda about the prohibited Steel- Timber Composite Building Method (STC), our Enforcement Team together with Police swung into action and arrested three persons.@UIPE_Uganda@ARBUganda @ERBUganda pic.twitter.com/BsQnErSInV
— National Building Review Board (@NBRBug) March 17, 2023
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