Building Control Act: Luttamaguzi calls for urgent changes
“The Building Control Act needs urgent amendment. It is too foreign in approach, too political in application, and it is not protecting Ugandans as intended,” Luttamaguzi said.
Nakaseke South MP, Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, has called on Parliament to urgently revisit and amend the Building Control Act, arguing that the law is outdated, overly rigid, and not aligned with Uganda’s development needs.
The legislator maintained that the Act, in its current form, places heavy financial and technical demands on ordinary Ugandans, making it difficult for small developers to participate in the construction sector.
“The Building Control Act needs urgent amendment. It is too foreign in approach, too political in application, and it is not protecting Ugandans as intended,” Luttamaguzi said.
Legal History of the Act
The Building Control Act was passed by Parliament in 2013 and assented to by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on October 2, 2013, before being published in the Uganda Gazette shortly thereafter. Despite this, the law only became fully operational on April 2, 2018, following a delayed commencement period.
The Act was enacted to regulate building standards in Uganda, improve construction safety, and address the increasing cases of structural failures across the country.
It also created the Building Control Board, responsible for overseeing construction approvals, inspections, and enforcement of compliance with national building standards.
Key provisions require developers to obtain prior approval for building plans, employ certified professionals such as engineers and architects, undergo inspections at various stages of construction, and secure occupancy permits before using any structure.
Criticism of Enforcement
Although designed to improve safety and urban planning, the law has faced criticism for increasing construction costs and slowing down development, particularly in rapidly expanding urban areas like Kampala.
Luttamaguzi argued that the current enforcement system disproportionately affects low-income earners and small-scale developers, who often struggle to meet compliance requirements.
He further noted that excessive bureaucracy has discouraged investment and delayed housing projects in both urban and peri-urban areas.
Call for Parliamentary Action
The MP is now urging lawmakers to engage stakeholders across the construction industry to review the Act and introduce reforms that balance safety, affordability, and development.
He emphasized that Uganda needs a more flexible regulatory framework that supports growth while maintaining essential building safety standards.
His remarks are expected to renew debate in Parliament over whether the Building Control Act should be revised to better reflect Uganda’s economic and social realities.
