UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Over 4,000 structures in Kampala have been built without formal approval of their structural plans, which may help to explain why city buildings are toppling more frequently.
The Deputy Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Eng David Luyimbazi, made this revelation on September 14, adding that Nakawa and Kawempe Divisions are home to the majority of the illegal structures.
Engineer Luyimbazi admits that KCCA is facing challenges in providing consistent supervision, owing to a shortage of resources to enforce building regulations, and therefore KCCA shoulders some responsibility for the situation.
“We find ourselves late on inspecting the buildings, and this has resulted in more buildings collapsing,” he said.
He made the disclosures while speaking with the victims of a recently collapsed Muhammed Katimbo-owned building in Kisenyi, Kampala. Three employees who were doing excavation were buried when the unfortunate structure collapsed on Friday 2nd September.
Two people were admitted to the hospital in critical condition, while one individual passed away.
In addition, Eng Luyimbazi revealed the structure at Kisenyi had a deep excavation and was hazardous. He added that the soil was loosened when it rained, causing the vertical wall to fall.
“The purpose of the meeting was to make sure that those people who were affected are relocated to a safer place such that they can continue operating their businesses,’’ Eng Luyimbazi said.
A committee made up of attorneys, police officers, and other investigators has been established by the Authority, according to a KCCA official, to guarantee that buildings are built following authorised designs.
The KCCA Executive Director, Ms Dorothy Kisaka, committed to taking action against all unauthorised buildings in the area.
Erias Lukwago, the Lord Mayor of Kampala, said that certain KCCA officials conspire with dishonest individuals to erect structures without permission.
“The problem is very systemic, it goes down to the directors, supervisors and managers,” he said.
According to Mr Lukwago, the issue grew worse during the Covid-19 shutdown.
“People who were having lots of money colluded with some of our officials and issued very many building plans,” he said.
He added: “As a council, we sat and agreed that there should be the evaluation of all structures that were constructed during that period from 2020 to date.”
Following the provisions of Section 28 of the Building Control Act of 2013 and the Building Control Regulations of 2020, the KCCA formed a building committee under the Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services.
The committee encourages and makes sure that respectable, safe, and well-planned structures are constructed in harmony with the surrounding area for higher living conditions in the nation’s capital.
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