The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema
has tasked the National Building Review Board (NBRB) to automate the sector by
embracing Building Industry Management System (BIMS) to overcome unnecessary
bureaucracy and eliminate wrong elements from the construction sector.
“Through automation, we shall be able to speed up the approval process and improve
revenue. This will ensure effective service delivery. The BIMS will help us move
together by swiftly driving building control activities,” she said.
Nakalema made the remarks during the closure of a 3-day Annual National Building
Review Board workshop on building control in Uganda, held at Lake View Hotel,
Mbarara City organised by the National Building Review Board.
Nakalema highlighted consistent complaints from the public regarding project delays,
often attributed to slow payment processes, inadequate planning, and mismanagement.
She also pointed to the lack of transparency in procurement, with allegations of
favoritism and inflated tender requirements designed to benefit specific contractors.
Furthermore, the issue of poor workmanship, including the use of substandard materials
and unskilled labor leading to structural deficiencies and safety risks, was raised as a
significant challenge. Col. Nakalema also assured the BCOs and Physical Planners of
SHIPU’s strategic partnership to ensure a conducive environment for investors in the
construction sector.
“We are all Key players in building control management. We must ensure we promote
efficiency and transparency in the construction sector,” she emphasized.There’s good
hope of working together for the good of our economic and general development of our
country. H.E the President has always emphasized that public service delivery is done
well through effective collaboration.”
Nakalema highlighted key concerns raised by Ugandans against Physical Planners and
BCOs which included delayed project completion, delayed payments from clients, poor
planning, and mismanagement on the side of builders and contractors.
She also noted that the unfair procurement practices such as lack of transparency in
tendering processes are also a matter of concern.
“Perceived favoritism and corruption in awarding contracts. Some procurement
requirements are deliberately hiked to fit specific preferred contractors,” she said.
Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire, the NBRB’s executive secretary, welcomed the call for greater
utilization of the BIMS. She acknowledged the crucial role of building control officers
and physical planners in elevating the quality of Uganda’s infrastructure and expressed
optimism that the automation system would expedite the often-cumbersome process of
building plan approvals.
“If anybody is dissatisfied, they are not left alone, NBRB is here to serve you,” she
assured the attendees.
Gutto Bwire thanked the Building Control Officers and Physical Planners for committing
to improve the quality of infrastructure in Uganda.
“This annual workshop gives us an opportunity to empower our Building Control Officers
and Physical Planners and give them the tools that they require to do the assignment,”
she said.
Eng. Bwire assured Col. Nakalema of collaboration with investors to ensure that they
are not frustrated when it comes to building control activities.
“Everything we do as the board is to ensure that our investors are not frustrated
because we all need each other.Our interest is to ensure that our people do their job to
improve the quality of infrastructure in our country.”she stressed.
The Chairperson of Building Control Officers, Mr. Denis Sekitoleko revealed that they
resolved to work hand in hand with Physical Planners in sensitising the communities on
building control activities.
“We have also resolved to work with the NBRB to achieve our desired goal of having
building control activities monitored,” he said.
Mwijuka Simon, the Chairperson of Mbarara City Traders Association, thanked NBRB
for guiding Ugandans when it comes to construction.
He also advised the engineers to sensitise the citizens on the importance of putting up
planned structures.
He however decried the laxity among the Building Control Officers and physical
Planners in approving and supervising construction sites, saying this contributes to the
problem of poor infrastructure in the country.
“You rarely go to construction sites to see what is taking place. This is detrimental to the lives of Ugandans and proper planning of the areas,” he said.
