The construction sector is undeniably a cornerstone of Uganda’s national development — a vital engine for infrastructure growth, a reservoir of national wealth, and a catalyst for employment creation. Yet persistent challenges such as bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and unethical practices continue to inhibit its optimal performance.
Recognizing the urgent need for reform, Col. Edith Nakalema, the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), has called for the accelerated adoption of automation systems within the construction industry. Speaking at the closure of the 3-day Annual National Building Review Board (NBRB) workshop at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara City, Col. Nakalema urged the National Building Review Board to fully operationalize the Building Industry Management System (BIMS).
“Through automation, we shall expedite the approval process, enhance revenue collection, and ensure efficient service delivery. The BIMS will enable us to advance building control activities swiftly and transparently,” Col. Nakalema asserted.
She further emphasized that an automated, technology-driven system would significantly diminish bureaucratic bottlenecks and weed out rogue elements that undermine investor confidence and sector integrity.
Exposing Sectoral Weaknesses
Col. Nakalema also shed light on key grievances raised by Ugandans during stakeholder engagements and consultations. Among the most persistent issues were chronic project delays attributed to poor planning, mismanagement by contractors, and delayed client payments. Equally concerning were reports of opaque procurement processes, perceived favoritism in awarding contracts, and deliberate inflation of procurement requirements to favor preferred bidders.
She additionally decried the prevalence of poor workmanship, particularly the use of substandard materials and unskilled labor, which has led to structural flaws, safety hazards, and a general decline in the quality of infrastructure.
“As key players in building control management, we must champion efficiency, transparency, and professionalism if we are to drive sustainable development in our country,” Col. Nakalema emphasized.
Commitment from the National Building Review Board
Echoing Col. Nakalema’s sentiments, the Executive Secretary of NBRB, Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire, reassured stakeholders that the Board remains committed to eliminating inefficiencies in the building approval processes through technology.
“This annual workshop offers a critical platform to capacitate our Building Control Officers (BCOs) and Physical Planners (PPs) with the knowledge and tools necessary to meet their mandates effectively,” she stated.
Eng. Bwire highlighted that the introduction of the Building Industry Management System (BIMS) will address long-standing concerns of investors and developers, ensuring that the approval and monitoring processes are more predictable, transparent, and investor-friendly.
“Our priority is to ensure that our investors are not frustrated by bottlenecks, because ultimately, we all stand to benefit from improved infrastructure standards,” she emphasized.
Addressing Ground-Level Concerns
Representing the private sector, Mr. Simon Mwijuka, Chairperson of the Mbarara City Traders Association, commended the NBRB’s efforts but cautioned against complacency. He noted that the laxity of some Building Control Officers and Physical Planners in supervising construction sites has directly contributed to the proliferation of unsafe structures and disorganized urban development.
“Regular supervision of construction sites is critical to safeguarding lives and maintaining orderly urban growth,” Mr. Mwijuka said.
In response, the Chairperson of the Building Control Officers, Mr. Denis Sekitoleko, presented a series of resolutions, including a renewed commitment to collaborating with Physical Planners in sensitizing communities about building regulations, as well as ensuring closer monitoring of construction activities in partnership with the NBRB.
A Sector at the Crossroads
The 3-day training workshop sought to harmonize development and building control operations across Local Governments by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Building Control Officers and Physical Planners at every stage of the approval and inspection processes.
With construction serving as a backbone for economic transformation, the call for robust governance, automation, and ethical practices has never been more urgent. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of transparency, Uganda can unlock the full potential of its construction sector, ensuring it remains a cornerstone for sustainable national growth and prosperity.
The construction sector is far too important to be left to chance — it must be systematically managed, efficiently supervised, and relentlessly protected.
